In My Defense

Turkey Turkey

Chapter 18

"I feel ridiculous," I whined. It was Thanksgiving Day and my my dad, Cherry, and I were all getting ready for a big dinner at Ryan's place.

"You look great," Cherry insisted. She had helped me pick out this dress, which looked great on the hanger, but looked hideous on me. It was white and lacey. The neckline rested two inches below my collar bones and had sleeves that stopped above my elbows. The fabric clung to my skin then flowed outwards by my waist, kinda like a deflated tutu.

I groaned. "Cherry." I pouted, acting as ridiculous as I felt.

"Oh, relax. Hold on," she said. She hurried upstairs as I tugged at the dress, feeling miserable. I heard some muffled whispers,then my dad and Cherry came downstairs.

Frank smiled softly at me and said, "You look fantastic."

"Thanks," I mumbled.

Frank removed his hand from behind his back and held a little black velvet box out for me. My hands shook as I reached to grab it. "What's this?"

"Open it."

I did. Inside was a thin necklace that resembled the lace on my dress.There was a small sapphire gem in the center of then sliver band; my mother's birthstone. I smiled fondly down at it.

"Thank you so much." I leaped to hug them both. I stepped back and marveled at it once again. "I love it. It must've cost like twenty of our mortgages."

"Um, first of all our house is paid off and second, Cherry and I are both financially stable."

"Still."

"Are you girls ready?"

My heart leaped a bit. "Yeah."

The drive to Ryan's place was mostly quiet, except for when I would give directions. Cherry squealed as soon as we drove into his neighborhood. Big houses lined the streets, towering over us as we drove by in our little Honda Accord.

"Right here," I said as we neared the curved driveway. Frank pulled in behind Ryan's car and I tried quelch my anxiety. I prayed to every god ever that his family would like me.

Cherry turned around to face me. "Are you ready?"

"No."

She laughed. "You'll be okay. Come on."

The sun was just beginning to set, casting a pink-ish, orange-ish tint along the sky. I led the way to the front door, my heart beating furociously as I climbed the stairs. There was the brief thought of my feet sweating in my flats as I rang the doorbell, but I didn't have much time to worry about that because Ryan swuung the door open two seconds later.

"Raelynn," he breathed, taking in my appearance. "You look gorgeous."

I blushed, looking down at my feet. "Hi Ryan."

He turned to face Cherry and my father, who I had completely forgotten about. "You look amazing as ever Cherry." He gave her a quick hug before turning to my dad. "Hello sir." He shook my father's hand, smiling warmly. "Please, come in. My father and sisters aren't here yet, but they should be here soon."

We walked inside and I heard Frank and Cherry gasp at the grand living room.

Sarah came bounding through from the kitchen just then. "Oh, goodness, you're here! Well, hello. I'm just finishing up dinner. Would you like a tour?"

Cherry nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes. Hi. I'm Raelynn's stepmother, Cheyenne."

Sarah smiled brightly. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm Sarah." She turned to face Ryan. "Ryan, would you and Raelynn mind watching the turkey while I give a tour to our guests?"