The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 46 - Anticipating Thanksgiving

            The first Monday morning after the Abernathy's moved into their new house came just as early as Susan predicted it would the night before. Everyone was up early with someplace to go. Jessie and Zackary were going to school, while Greg, Susan and Matt were going to visit the campus of UCLA.

As a former instructor at the university, Greg had a unique insight into the campus which he shared with Matt while they looked around. He also recommended that Matt speak to Neil about his experiences while a student there. They spent three hours exploring the various student haunts, the hallways of the various departments Matt thought he was interested in, and the open spaces of the school. They left just in time for Susan to drop Greg off at the studio for his meeting, then to take Matt to the airport for his flight home.

"We'll see you in about two and a half weeks," Susan told her son as she dropped him off at the curb.

"So soon? I guess Thanksgiving is later this month, isn't it," Matt asked rhetorically.

"Yes, it is. Are you sure you don't need me to go in with you?" Susan offered.

"Nah. They won't let you in past security anyways, and I'm good. I know how this works now," Matt assured her.

"Okay then. Be good, and we'll see you soon," Susan said.

"Bye Mom," Matt called as he exited the car.

"Bye," Susan said and she watched as Matthew picked up his luggage and walked into the terminal.

c

Susan spent a couple hours shopping for things for the house, looking for ideas for the furnishings they still needed and was still in the area to pick up Greg when his meetings were finished in the afternoon.

"What did you find?" he asked when she told him what she'd done.

"Come see," Susan said. "Can we?"

Greg regarded his watch. "It's early yet. We can pick up Jessie at daycare after and Zackary should be okay on his own. Why not?"

Susan grinned as Greg agreed, and she drove them back to the store. This was a different furniture store than they'd been to before, a one-of-a-kind store instead of a chain, and Greg found they both liked the furnishings they carried much better than what they'd found in stores they'd shopped in before. It didn't take them long to place an order for two sets of easy chairs for reading, and a small desk-style table for the library. They finished so quickly, they were only an hour later than Susan expected to be if they'd gone home directly.

"That was productive," Greg commented as they navigated the freeways on their way to pick up Jessie.

"It was, wasn't it," Susan said. "We should have the library furnished by the time Matt comes back. That would be nice."

"Aren't we expecting more furnishings for Matthew's bedroom by then as well?" Greg asked.

"Yes, week after next," Susan said. "Remember I go to the Bay Area for two days next week, but I'll be home late Wednesday."

"And the furnishings come on Thursday," Greg read from their order form. "When do Matthew's things come?"

"On Friday," Susan told him.

"Then you're right. We should be in good shape furniture-wise for Thanksgiving," Greg said.

"At least for our living spaces," Susan said. "Did you like the style of the things at the store we found?"

"Very much," Greg said.

"They have a decorating department," Susan said tentatively.

"Do they?" Greg asked mildly.