Ensconce

So Much To Be Thankful For

Chapter Three

Thanksgiving 1992

"I see you, Jaycee Lenora," Uncle John's voice booms.

Giggling, I push the curtain open and jump out. "Boo!"

"Ah! You got me, darlin'," he says comically before looping my arm with his. "Come on, Aunt Gemma says it's time for turkey."

Feeling my stomach growl, I exclaim, "Yay! I love turkey."

"So does your mom. It's her favorite on the holidays. That's why we have it for Christmas too," he says, smiling.

When we get back into the dining room, Mom and Aunt Gemma smile at us. "Jaycee, go wash up for dinner, baby."

"Okay, Mom, don't start without me!" I tell them while on my way to the kitchen.

...

"Let's go around and say what we're all thankful for."

"I'm thankful to have my husband back from Ireland," Aunt Gemma says while lacing fingers with Uncle John.

He brings her hand up and kisses it a few times. "I'm thankful to be back home with my family."

"I'm thankful that my old man will be home soon," Mom says while lifting her glass.

"I'm also thankful we didn't have a whole crowd to feed this year," Aunt Gemma adds as we all start piling our plates with the delicious food.

Excitedly, I say, "I'm thankful for turkey."

"Me too," Jax says from next to me.

...

After stuffing myself with turkey, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and stuffing, Jax and I sit down to watch Super Mario World on TV. He promised that later, he, Opie, and I could play Nintendo. It's really fun, and I can't wait.

"Jaycee, come here," I hear my Mom call from the kitchen.

Running the whole way, I have to take a few deep breaths. She smiles and holds out the landline. "Daddy's on the phone."

Taking it from her excitedly, I speak into the receiver. "Daddy?"

"Hey, darlin', Happy Turkey Day."

"You too, Daddy," I say, wishing he were here with us. "Are you having turkey today, too?"

"I sure am, don't you worry. How's school going?"

"It's good! Report cards are going out soon, and I think I'm going to get all E's," I tell him, knowing that he wants me to do well.

"That's because you're a smart cookie. Just like your Mama. Anything else exciting going on over there?"

"Me and Jax caught a gecko, and I named him Barry Manilow," I say, knowing he doesn't like creepy crawlers. "He lives in a fish tank and eats bugs."

"You couldn't get a dog or something?"

"Nope," I say, popping the P. "I like Barry."

"'There are three minutes left. Ding!'"

"Jaycee, give the phone back to your Mama. I'll talk to you next time."

"Okay, Daddy, I love you," I tell him like always.

"I love you too, darlin'."

Thanksgiving 2014 - TM

Another Turkey Day is here, and every member of SAMCRO is gathered at the clubhouse with their families or significant others. This marks our first holiday since we lost Tara, Bobby, Gemma, and Jax... The feeling of loss hangs heavily over the compound. This time last year, Jax, Abel, and I were sneaking freshly made peanut butter cookies that Bobby had just taken out of the oven.