No Job, No Car, No Problem!

Dry As A Turkey

Thanksgiving is here.  It’s my favorite holiday of the year.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had a great Thanksgiving.  Liz and I used to do every Thanksgiving together, inviting all our friends that didn’t have their own family to spend the day with.  But since she moved away with her husband several years ago, the day just hasn’t been the same.  But this year is going to be good like old times.  I am heading to Virginia to spend the holiday with Liz and her family.  I am so excited!  And yet at the same time I am also a little sad to be leaving the start of a relationship with Les. 

There is one slight other issue though with going to Virginia.  I am bound to see Rod, who I hooked up with last time I was in Virginia.  Rod emailed me just last week in fact.

‘Hey cutie pie.  I’m going to pick you up at the airport and you can stay over and see my new place and then we will flow to Liz and Steve’s for Thanksgiving.  Can’t wait to see you!’

First of all the word flow just freaks me out.  It makes me think of, well downright nasty things.  But keeping in mind Rod sent this at 2am on a Saturday night I am convinced the flow of alcohol had something to do with his writing me.  I of course wrote Rod back, explaining that I was there to see Liz.  That I didn’t need him to pick me up from the airport, knowing darn well what he would expect.  But I also fear what could potentially end up happening seeing Rod after all this time.  Well I’m not committed to Les.  Whatever is bound to happen, will happen.

Prepping for a huge dinner is always fun!  Liz and I drink wine and cook and laugh, like the old times.  Though I pretend not to be, I am quite nervous, knowing Rod will be coming with his parents to dinner…his parents that absolutely adore me and I fully love back.  But Rod and I are both adults and once we see each other, I know things will be fine.  Sadly, I haven’t heard from Les since I arrived three days ago but I am here doing my own thing.  I am here to have fun and not be thinking about Les.

The guests arrive, appetizers and side dishes in hand.  Trying not to look eager, I wait in the living room, pounding the last drops of wine in my glass.  Whew!  My cheeks suddenly feel very hot.  Rod’s parents enter, taking me into their arms and excitedly telling me how wonderful I look and just how much they love me.  I try to listen to them while using my peripherals to see where Rod is.  Should he be behind me I need to flex my butt muscles yet if he is to my side I should suck in my stomach.  Why do I even care?  I’m not here to see him.  I have someone else at home that I’m crazy about.  I don’t need to worry about what Rod things.  His father looks me up and down and standing next to his adoring wife says, “My gosh Jenny, you are just gorgeous!  Look at you!”  I am indeed having a fabulous hair day, which I of course worked quite hard on.  “Our son is just a damn fool.  I don’t know what to do with him.  What on earth is he thinking?” 

I respond, trying to look confidently around, “Oh where is Rod anyway?”

His mother strokes my arm in an affectionate manner. “Oh dear, Rod isn’t making it tonight.  He had, well, prior engagements.”

I try not to look disappointed and attempt to maintain the last bit of confidence I have left.  “That’s too bad.  Well not to worry, let’s have some wine, shall we?”

I turn away from his parents, rejected tears forming in my eyes while Liz generously refills my wine glass.  “Don’t worry about it Jenny.  He is a dud and not worth any of your emotions.”

The scenario is fine.  I came here to see Liz and Steve, not that nimrod.  Besides, I am dating what seems to be Mr. Wonderful back home.  I don’t need Rod to mess up my head.  This is a good thing.  I am glad he isn’t coming…well I kind of am.  I sneak upstairs to reconfirm my feelings for Les.  I don’t want to bother him by calling so I simply text,