Jenny quickly ushered her two kids into her station wagon. John five, and Becky seven, were dressed in their finest attires for this special occasion.
Jenny didn’t look too shabby either, thanks to her boss who had donated most of her summer clothing to her a few weeks ago. She was rich, and bought the latest fashion trends each season anyway; it was sheer luck she was only two sizes bigger than Jenny.
She zipped her fleece jacket over her cute cotton blouse; this Thanksgiving morning was a bit chilly.
- " When are we getting there mom? I’m hungry!"
- " Let me warm up the car, and we’ll be there in no time John, just be patient ok?"
She counted the spare change and money in her wallet. She would have to do with $7 of gas. She was dismayed at how this barely moved the dial; this seeming to evaporate her last $7.00 until next week.
Jenny didn’t look too shabby either, thanks to her boss who had donated most of her summer clothing to her a few weeks ago. She was rich, and bought the latest fashion trends each season anyway; it was sheer luck she was only two sizes bigger than Jenny.
She zipped her fleece jacket over her cute cotton blouse; this Thanksgiving morning was a bit chilly.
- " When are we getting there mom? I’m hungry!"
- " Let me warm up the car, and we’ll be there in no time John, just be patient ok?"
She counted the spare change and money in her wallet. She would have to do with $7 of gas. She was dismayed at how this barely moved the dial; this seeming to evaporate her last $7.00 until next week.
Shit! The brakes made a screeching sound whenever she stopped. This was getting dangerous she thought to herself. This beat-up ’89 wagon was due some major maintance.
She circulated the area to find closer parking space to the mission. They made their way quickly, her kids running ahead of her, excited about the holiday and the main event awaiting them. She was disheartened when she saw the huge line formed. It seemed bigger then ever this year.
Jenny smiled to the other people in the line; the line moved fairly quickly along. At last, they got their plates and started to get these filled. The trays of overflowing food looked, and smelled delicious!
She circulated the area to find closer parking space to the mission. They made their way quickly, her kids running ahead of her, excited about the holiday and the main event awaiting them. She was disheartened when she saw the huge line formed. It seemed bigger then ever this year.
Jenny smiled to the other people in the line; the line moved fairly quickly along. At last, they got their plates and started to get these filled. The trays of overflowing food looked, and smelled delicious!
She could have cooked a turkey herself, but come on…this was free! Besides, she had negotiated a good portion of her food stamps in exchange for cash; the two month-old light bill, was not going to be paid by the Holy Spirit after all.
Becky knew the drill and held her plate steady, while Jenny held her own, as well as John’s.
First they were served the dressing, and then they moved to the green beans, next….came the mashed potatoes, served by…what’s her name? The moment of mutual recognition came.
Becky knew the drill and held her plate steady, while Jenny held her own, as well as John’s.
First they were served the dressing, and then they moved to the green beans, next….came the mashed potatoes, served by…what’s her name? The moment of mutual recognition came.
- “Jenny? Oh my God! Jenny? It’s me, Sandra!…I haven’t seen you since graduation, what …how are you? Oh my God!”
- “Hi Sandra! Good to see you! These are my kids, John and Becky.” She said while she wanted the earth to open up and swallow her, and a profuse blush crept over her cheeks.
- “They are adorable! Hi kids! Do you want gravy with your mashed potatoes? Here let me take your plates. Jenny, I must stop to say goodbye and chat a bit with you before you go...OK?”
- “Sure Sandra, we’ll just be on the tables somewhere.”
They moved along to get their slivers of bland turkey, and trimmings. Suddenly Jenny wasn’t quite as hungry. How did she sink so low? It was ok, life’s a struggle, but bearable without eye witnesses; especially a former nemesis from High School.
- “Hi Sandra! Good to see you! These are my kids, John and Becky.” She said while she wanted the earth to open up and swallow her, and a profuse blush crept over her cheeks.
- “They are adorable! Hi kids! Do you want gravy with your mashed potatoes? Here let me take your plates. Jenny, I must stop to say goodbye and chat a bit with you before you go...OK?”
- “Sure Sandra, we’ll just be on the tables somewhere.”
They moved along to get their slivers of bland turkey, and trimmings. Suddenly Jenny wasn’t quite as hungry. How did she sink so low? It was ok, life’s a struggle, but bearable without eye witnesses; especially a former nemesis from High School.
Jenny slumped on the bench, her appetite gone. She would save her plate for reheating later on for the kids. She nibbled on the bread roll; while she mused she looked ten years older than Sandra. She was even beginning to get a few gray hairs, which she promptly plucked. Her face looked aged beyond her years too, not to mention her hands. Years of cleaning houses made these simulate sand paper.
Sandra looked simply fabulous; her obvious breast enhancement complimenting her slim figure.
She swallowed her roll, while she fought the watering of her eyes, which she quickly wiped away with the sleeve of her fleece jacket.
Just as the kids were done eating, here comes Sandra.
- “Jenny, it is so good to see you. Truly! Listen, with the holidays and all, I am just so busy, I wanted to give you a little something for you to get the kids toys for Christmas. Here….take it please.” She held a folded $100 bill in front of Jenny.
- “Sandra…I…” what the hell, she was broke until next week, and she needed gas…and…what the hell. She took it. “Thanks Sandra, I will get them something nice. Thank you.” She forced a smile.
- “Jenny, I would really love to get together and talk with you. Here is my telephone number. Please call me next week, after this weekend; I will be out of town tomorrow, back next Monday. I have so much stuff to do…I simply need help for party planning – unending list of things pending. Will you call me, to see if we can work something out?”
- “Sure Sandra, that sounds wonderful. I will definitely call you next Monday. Thanks again…for everything.”
- “Great! See you soon!” She hesitated as if to hug her, opted instead to clasp her hands together, and give her a big smile; she then waved to Jenny’s kids a cheerful goodbye.
Sandra looked simply fabulous; her obvious breast enhancement complimenting her slim figure.
She swallowed her roll, while she fought the watering of her eyes, which she quickly wiped away with the sleeve of her fleece jacket.
Just as the kids were done eating, here comes Sandra.
- “Jenny, it is so good to see you. Truly! Listen, with the holidays and all, I am just so busy, I wanted to give you a little something for you to get the kids toys for Christmas. Here….take it please.” She held a folded $100 bill in front of Jenny.
- “Sandra…I…” what the hell, she was broke until next week, and she needed gas…and…what the hell. She took it. “Thanks Sandra, I will get them something nice. Thank you.” She forced a smile.
- “Jenny, I would really love to get together and talk with you. Here is my telephone number. Please call me next week, after this weekend; I will be out of town tomorrow, back next Monday. I have so much stuff to do…I simply need help for party planning – unending list of things pending. Will you call me, to see if we can work something out?”
- “Sure Sandra, that sounds wonderful. I will definitely call you next Monday. Thanks again…for everything.”
- “Great! See you soon!” She hesitated as if to hug her, opted instead to clasp her hands together, and give her a big smile; she then waved to Jenny’s kids a cheerful goodbye.
.
Jenny gathered her brood, and walked away with a heavy heart. She felt like such a loser, did she have any remnants of dignity left? She looked at John’s eyes; so innocent, the color of the bluest sky, mirrors of her own. For her kids he would do anything. She was way beyond dignity; she had already passed that threshold. Anything was better than being evicted, and living again in her station wagon. That she would not permit her kids to endure.
She was way beyond preserving those shivers of dignity and hope. Her highest aspiration was to simply survive.
To be continued.
