1957 // A.I (a.u)

Nineteen

Ashton // 1957

It was nearly Christmas, and with that came an American holiday I had never heard of. Thanksgiving, where apparently you eat a loaded meal and give thanks. Velma has been stressing over it, saying how she has guests coming.
"Who exactly is coming?" I asked following her around the kitchen as she went back and forth through cabinets and the refrigerator.
"A good friend of mine, her name is Etta and Marilyn is coming too. She apparently has a new boyfriend." She answered as she wrote a list of supplies.
"I didn't even know you could cook," I said and before I knew it she was giving me a death stare.

"Ashton Irwin, you did not just say that to me, I came from a Southern home. Of course I know how to cook. My mother might despise me but she didn't raise any fool, no sir. So how about just standing there you get yourself over here and help me." She answered her voice not angry but filled with authority and I enjoyed that. So I went over and helped her as she had asked me to. She thawed out the turkey in the kitchen sink whilst I cut up yams and carrots. It was actually quite fun. We were doing all this and tomorrow evening would be when her company arrives. It took us almost the whole night to finish preparing all the food but some would be saved for making tomorrow in the morning.

"Americans are very different, I think you're the only country that dedicates a day to eating and giving thanks." I say with a chuckle as we finish cleaning up in the kitchen.

"Yes, I could see where you might think that but trust me, give it time and soon enough you'll just become used to it. Oh I really can't believe this'll be your first Thanksgiving. I hope you'll like it." Velma said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. It was going to take some getting used to but I knew it would be for the better. We continued to clean and leave things ready to prep for the next day. When I finally got a look at the clock again it was already going to be midnight.

"Velma everything looks good, and we still got tomorrow let's go to bed already, doesn't that sound like a good idea?" I said hoping to convince her, she looked up from the counter she was cleaning and sighed.

"Well darling you do make a good point. I guess we could get to bed, I don't want anymore bags under my eyes. I look hideous as it is," She said with a laugh as she looked at me for a response but I honestly didn't think that was funny.

"You're not hideous, don't ever call yourself that word again." I said, my voice appearing more stern than I anticipated it to. She looked scared at first, then upset and that's when I knew I had messed up.

"Honey, I just don't think you're hideous. You're beautiful to me and I don't like it when you view yourself like that. You know I care about you is all." I say to her as I hug her, trying to soothe her before she starts crying.

"I just feel like you'll find a better gal out there, I'm not the only pretty face in Hollywood. I'm sorry for being so fussy." She mumbled into my shirt. The poor girl, i'm only three or so years older than her but I've experienced things she hasn't however by the way she's crying someone showed her what heart break feels like.

"I'm always going to be here Velma, I only have eyes for you. I know men now a days are all pigs who aren't looking to settle down but trust and I believe I'm not like them and I would never look at another girl like I look at you," I said to her. These words felt foreign to me, but she believed them and so did I. 

"You mean it? You're not just wanting to shut me up?" She said looking up at me, her eyes rimmed red with tears. I nodded and held her as she started crying again. Nobody has ever been this close to me, everyone hated me but she, well she doesn't know but she does love me. It feels right.