Story of the Month

     The crowd pressed against the rail looking for familiar faces among those walking down the gangway. Every so often an arm would go up and their loved one walking along the switchback would break out into a wide smile and wave back. Then there were the shouts of joy and the hugs and the general feeling of the festive season upon them. Not so with Pam.  

     Friends from high school stopped to say hello, telling her how happy they were and introducing her to their new fiancé or partner before darting off to greet their relatives. They didn’t stay long enough to ask about Darren, which under other circumstances would be rude, but now was just fine. She remembered times when she was thrilled to see these people getting off the boat, returning home with their stories of adventures in the world. But that seemed like ages ago.  

     She did her best to cover her dark mood when her sister approached. Judy was terribly bubbly after the voyage across Vineyard Sound during which all her worries from living in the big city had washed away. And it didn’t help that she was prettier than Pam and more successful. The hug was a little too aggressive and Pam could have done without the bouncing, but her mood was a touch cheerier being with Judy. She held Pam at arms’ length, which then led to the obligatory hiding her disappointment with how Pam looked. Words were not necessary.  

     They headed to the luggage cart and picked up her one roller board, black like twenty others on the cart, and then struck off to Pam’s car.  

     “How was your trip?” 

     “Oh, you know, the usual bumper to bumper shit show on ninety-five. Vicky was going to ride with me, but her parents bought her a plane ticket.” 

     “That’s too bad.” 

     “Yeah, but it worked out. I listened to an entire series of podcasts about that murder case in California.” 

     “Was it good?” 

     “Oh yeah, very well done.” 

     They stopped behind Pam’s car. 

     “Oh, you’re not going to believe who was on the boat with me?” 

     “Kim Kardashian?” 

     “No. She’s in the Caribbean. No. It was Alex.” 

     “Oh?” 

     “Yeah, what happened to you two?” Judy asked. “You were best friends. He was your prom date. I always thought you’d eventually get together.” 

     “It wasn’t that kind of relationship. Plus he always had his eye on Juliet. And they finally got together. Not that I could compete. She’s like a model!” 

     “I always told you not to sell yourself short. Anyway. He said he hadn’t heard from you in a while. He misses you. He said he has so much to talk to you about.” 

     At that moment Pam cringed as Darren came off the sidewalk. 

     “Judy!” 

     “Oh hi, Darren.” 

     They hugged. Pam thought it was awkward, but every thought and observation she had lately was critical.  

     “I stopped to pick up a few things at the Stop and Shop and I saw you so…” Darren said. 

     “Are you cooking the turkey?” Judy joked. 

     “No, my mom is. Anyway, I gotta go. Good to see you, Judy. Happy Thanksgiving!” 

     “Yeah, you too.” 

     She watched him walk away as Pam dropped the suitcase into the trunk. 

     “He’s not having Thanksgiving with us?” 
     “No,” Pam answered without looking up. “He’s spending it with his family.” 

     “Hmm. It must be awkward when both families live on island. How do you do it? You know, which family gets you on what holiday?” 

     Pam carefully guided the conversation away from Darren and their relationship. Judy was always an easy conversationalist, so it wasn’t hard. She yammered on all the way to their parents’ house, and once there, she continued to hold court.  

     It wasn’t until she passed Pam’s old bedroom before supper that Judy began to catch on.  

     “Wait! You’re staying here?” 

     “Yeah,” was all Pam said, hoping that was sufficient for now.  

     It was.  

     Dinner was like old times. Their parents were in a festive mood and the conversation was light. Pam’s mother was especially adept at keeping it that way. She knew what Pam was going through and she was kindly giving her time to share her news with Judy when she was ready. 

     That opportunity presented itself when the girls retired for the evening to their bedrooms.  

     Judy peered into Pam’s room. “Okay,” Judy said. “What’s going on?” 

     “What do you mean?” 

     It was a silly remark. Pam realized that this moment would happen eventually. 

     “You’re not just visiting,” Judy said. “You’re living here now. I see your stuff.” 

     They sat together on the bed as Pam explained how her relationship with Darren had ended. The divorce papers had been signed, and Darren had taken a job in Connecticut. Pam waited but Judy’s reaction was surprising. She didn’t say a word. Instead, she wrapped her arms around her sister and held her. Something came over Pam. It was a release of sorts. She sobbed uncontrollably.  

     “I’m so sorry,” Judy said. 

     “It’s really for the best,” Pam said. “It was never meant to be. We’re so different.” 

     Judy didn’t say a word.  

     The next morning Judy was off to visit friends while Pam and her mother began the dinner preparations, readying the turkey and Pam making her signature oyster stuffing. Together, they shoved the turkey in the oven. 

     Then there was a knock on the door. One knock which Pam almost dismissed, but then Alex made a grand entrance. He dropped a large paper bag on the center island and kissed Pam’s mother’s cheek. 

     “There you are! I’m sorry I didn’t call but I thought you needed help and I’m here to make my famous pumpkin pie.” 

     “It’s great to see you, Alex,” Pam’s mother said, hugging him again. “How long has it been?” 

     They tried to remember dates and mile posts in their lives to come to an agreement on when the last Thanksgiving they had shared was. Pam was an observer, oddly detached as she marveled at how good-looking her friend Alex had become. How energetic and happy he seemed, unlike any of the men in her life. Read that, Darren.  

     Soon she was sucked into the conversation and the joyful mood of the reunion. They laughed as they recalled past Thanksgivings and Christmases, and how the Pumpkin Pie tradition had begun. In fifth grade they had taken a cooking class at the best restaurant on the island, and Alex became convinced he was a natural baker. In this very kitchen he had plied his skills and accepted little help as he made his first pie. He didn’t even like pumpkin pie so of course he never tasted it throughout the preparation process. Pam’s mother laughed as she remembered smelling the burning pie and rushing to take it out of the oven just in time. It was burned but not unsalvageable. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was that it was inedible. Spiced past the point of saving. It was a tragedy then, but great fun now. Pam hugged Alex when he sadly hung his head, reliving the disaster. 

     “But…I’ll never forget how you wouldn’t let me off the hook. Pam... you made me…remember?” he said as she nodded, guessing what he was going to say next. “You made me come back the next year and try again.” 

     “And it was great!” Pam said. 

     Her mother concurred. “We had to have you back every year. What would Thanksgiving be without Alex’s pumpkin pie?” 

     “Thanks. Oh, I miss those days. When I saw Judy on the boat, I promised myself that we’d do it again this year!” He glanced around as if something or someone was missing. “Where is Judy?” 

     “She’s off with friends.” 

     “And Darren?” 

Pam was hoping to avoid this subject, but she said the first thing that came into her mind. 

     “He’s having Thanksgiving with his family.” 

      “Ah.” Alex glanced down. “Juliet’s doing the same thing.” 

      “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here,” Pam’s mother changed the subject, giving Alex a hug and pushing her head under Alex’s suggesting a kiss on the top of her head. Another tradition. 

     From that moment on, the three worked together as if no time had elapsed. They were a well-oiled machine with Alex as the operator. They laughed, and Pam and Alex teased each other. They tickled and bumped and wrestled like little kids.  

     Pam’s mother returned to the kitchen with her camera to record what was happening. She snapped away, as Pam complained. “Mom!” 

     A final shot of the pie before it went into the oven, and then Pam’s mother left the kitchen. Pam and Alex carried the pie like it was the most precious thing on earth. Together they went to the stove, her arm bristling as it touched his, a bolt of electricity running up her spine. She relinquished the pie to Alex, and then opened the oven door, lowering it between them. He carefully placed his creation on a rack above the turkey. 

     Pam closed the door and stared at Alex. Their eyes locked and her hand went to his.  

     “Look what I found!” Pam’s mother interrupted, coming back into the kitchen. 

     She spread the album on the island and opened it to the prom pictures.  

     “You were the cutest couple.”  

      Pam and Alex leaned over the book and flipped through the pictures relishing the memories.  

     “I thought I’d be planning a wedding for you two,” Pam’s mother said. 

     “You said that at the time, and I think our reaction was…ew… gross!” 

     Alex agreed and Pam leaned her head under his and he kissed the top of her head. Also a tradition.  

     “I better go,” Alex announced. “What time should I return for dessert?” 

     Pam wanted to beg him to stay but she didn’t. She stared at the door after he left, not knowing what to do next.  

     Her daydream was quickly interrupted as Judy burst into the house. 

     “That was nice of Alex to stop by.” 

     “Yeah. It was a great visit.” And then Pam perked up. “He’s coming back for dessert.” 

     “Oh?” 

     “Why are you surprised?” 

     “Well, I just saw Juliet with Alex’s mom.” 

     “But he said she was having Thanksgiving with her parents. I thought…” 

     “Oh, my poor baby,” Judy said reaching for a hug. “You thought it was like Darren having dinner with his parents. I’m so sorry.”  

     She tried to cheer up her sister after she released Pam. “But it’ll be great to see him again.” 

     Pam had thought the same thing only a few minutes earlier. Now everything had changed, and Pam was dreading the visit as if Alex was the unwanted relative about to ruin Thanksgiving. 

     It turned out it wasn’t Alex’s reappearance but the anticipation of it that ruined the meal. Her parents and sister were in a festive mood, and Pam did her best to hide her sadness, but she wasn’t successful. She hardly said a word as she cleared the table. 

     It didn’t help that Alex came bounding in as he had before as if it was the happiest day of the year.  

     “I don’t smell smoke. That’s a good sign.” 

     “Don’t worry. We took it out in plenty of time, and it looks perfect!” Pam’s mother said. 

She, Judy and Alex stood over the pie and then oohed and aahed.   

     “It is perfect,” Judy said. 

     “I never doubted,” Pam’s mother said.  

     The three remained standing over the pie on the center island. Pam’s mother glanced up to see Pam’s reaction. She was slow to respond. 

     “Yeah. It looks good. I’ll get the serving utensils.” 

     Pam went to the hutch. She really wanted to leave the group and flee to her room, but instead she searched for a knife and a pie serving spatula. 

     “So, Alex, how was your turkey?” Judy asked. 

     “Dry as ever. I swear, my father does it on purpose. He won’t let anyone else cook it or even work with him and every year it’s the same.” 

     “And how’s your mother,” asked Pam’s mother. 

     “Oh,” Alex said, looking down as if unsure what to say next. “She’s not taking it very well.” 

     “Taking what?” Judy, always the inquisitive one, was quick to ask. 

     “The break up.” 

     “What break up? You mean… But I just saw Juliet with your mother.” 

     “Yeah. That was sad for her. Mom loves Juliet.” 

     “I know what that feels like,” Pam’s mother added, stroking Alex’s arm. “How are you doing?” 

     “Me? I’m great. It was sad. I guess all break ups are, but it’s a good thing. Honestly. It’s really for the best.” 

     Pam was at the hutch, her back to them. She lifted her head and the utensils. She paused before pushing the hutch drawer closed.   

     “Mom, why don’t you bring the plates to the table."  

     “Good idea, dear,” her mother answered. “Judy, bring the coffee in, would you?”