Page 47 of Love's Harvest
“Why don’t you count on me to babysit for Saturday evenings and for your grief counseling meetings?I’ve missed my girls.”
“How is it going, Mom?”Sarah asked.“I know Dad needs to have quiet, restful times as well as his physical therapy.But has his attitude changed?”
“A little,” her mother admitted.“He’s used to being in the middle of things.This recovery time is difficult for him because he feels well even though there is still some numbness in his feet.It makes him more cautious.And his patience is worn thin at times.”
“My daytime babysitter, Lucy, is terrific.I’ll try to stop by and visit Dad more often, keep him updated on the store,” said Sarah.
“That would be very helpful, dear.Oops!Gotta go!Your father is calling me.”
Sarah ended the call and sat a moment thinking of her parents.Even though they were struggling a bit, they remained optimistic about the future.That’s what had been taken away from her after Jesse’s suicide.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Thursday, Thanksgiving morning, Sarah prepared the turkey she’d ordered several weeks ago from a local farmer and slid it into the oven.Crystal had called earlier that week to say she was preparing extra side dishes and desserts for Sarah and her family.Sarah gratefully accepted her offer.Crystal was the former owner of the Lilac Café and was an excellent cook.
Her mother and father would come for the meal but wouldn’t stay long because this first week after his stroke was important for her father.He was to rest as much as possible when he wasn’t working on his physical therapy exercises.The chances for a second stroke were still there, even though his had been a mild one.
Still, Sarah wanted the girls to have all the fun of drawing pictures for each of them, to be placed on their chairs at the dining room table.Because Sarah would be working all day on Friday, she was allowing the girls to set out some of the Christmas decorations they loved.
By the time her parents were due to arrive for dinner, the place was a chaotic mess, but Sarah didn’t care.It was nice to have a bit of Christmas in the house after an awful scare with her father.Besides, it kept the girls busy while Sarah researched Millie Harriman, Lucy’s friend at The Woodlands.She’d already called to wish GG a Happy Thanksgiving and had been given a kind word about Millie.Still, she liked to check online to see if there were any hidden tidbits good or bad about the woman.Satisfied that there were no issues with Millie, Sarah decided she’d go to see her over the weekend.
“Happy Thanksgiving!”the girls cried when her parents entered the house.
“Remember to be gentle,” Sarah told them softly before they ran to her mother and father.
“Hi, PopPop, are you resting?”Mia asked.
Sarah’s father grinned.“I’m supposed to rest.But I’m glad I’m here.Something smells delicious.”
“It’s the turkey,” said Emily.“It’s big.”
“It’s a special one,” said Sarah.“And Crystal has made side dishes and one of her famous pecan pies for dessert.”
“I’m so glad she did that.I brought my pumpkin pie but that was all the time I had,” said Sarah’s mother.“I’ve been setting up the books for next year so you wouldn’t have to do that.We’ll meet a little bit each day next week to go over things.And this week, I’ll help out with the girls while you hold a couple of his and her Christmas shopping events at the store.”
“Excellent,” said Sarah, glancing at the look of disappointment on her father’s face.“Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll fill you in on the activities.”
Satisfied, her father relaxed.
Sarah led her parents to the table and while the girls explained the pictures they’d made for them, Sarah carried the turkey into the room to show them.
“We have so much to be thankful for,” said Sarah’s mother.“And this is a beauty.”
Sarah took the turkey back to the kitchen to carve it.
Her mother came to help her carry the side dishes into the dining room and wrapped an arm around Sarah.“Thank you, darling, for making this so nice.”
“Like you said, we have a lot to be thankful for,” said Sarah, realizing how much she meant it on many different levels.
Once the food was on the table, Sarah said, “Today, both girls get to say grace.”
Emily went first.“Thank you for this food.It’s my favorite.”
Mia said, “My turn.Thank you for the turkey and pie.”
“And I’m sure we’re thankful for the vegetables and PopPop’s healthy recovery,” said Sarah’s mother.
“Amen,” said Sarah and her father together, amused.
