Daphne gives a final instruction, “Remember. No repeats.” Then she says, “Dwight, you can start.”
Dwight smiles and says, “Okey dokey. I’m grateful for the food on this table that Daphne prepared for us. Everything looks great!”
“Dammit, Dwight,” I say. “You took mine.”
Dwight laughs and says, “I’m also grateful that I got to go first!”
Zoe clamors to go next. She says she is grateful that her head is better and that she had so much fun with Aunt Claudia last weekend. I smile at her. Zoe then says she will go for Patrick and William. She says that her brothers are grateful for all of their toys and books.
My mother picks up at the adult table where Dwight left off. She looks at the ceiling, as if pondering her bounty of blessings. She is always good for an unexpected, attention-grabbing song of thanksgiving. One year it was: ” I’m grateful that Ross Perot did so well in this year’s election . “Another year: ” I’m grateful that my husband Dwight now knows that gifts from Kohl’s and other retail stores of that ilk, though well intentioned, are not acceptable .”
This year she goes the self-aggrandizing route and says, “I’m thankful for the creative energy our Lord has bestowed upon me as I have embarked on my exciting new career in photography.”
I try not to crack up and am assisted in this effort by the fact that Scott is up. His eyes remain closed, as if still in prayer. Last year I remember he was grateful that the stock market was finally rebounding and the economy getting back on track. This year, he clears his throat and says, “I’m grateful to be here at this table.”
His simple statement is the most genuine and humble utterance I’ve ever heard from him, and I can’t help feeling moved. I am a long ways from forgiving him, but I realize that empathy might be the first step. And I do feel nearly sorry for him. Maura, on the other hand, looks completely unfazed when she quickly comes back with, “I’m thankful for my beautiful children, my supportive parents, and my loyal sisters.”
Ouch , I think.
“What about Daddy?” Zoe says. The child misses nothing .
“Oh, yes, Zoe, thank you,” Maura says. “I’m grateful that you have a daddy who loves you and your brothers.”
This seems to appease her, so we move on to my dad. After he gives his standard thanks for the health of everyone at the table, it is my turn.
I know I have a lot to be grateful for, but all I can think of is Ben. Of how my life feels so depleted without him. I think for another minute, surveying the faces around the table. Ben and I used to be our own little family, but now the people in this room are the only family I have. The only family I likely will ever have. So I say, “I am thankful for the love in this room. For knowing that despite any trouble we might find ourselves in, we will be here for one another in the end.”
Everyone is quiet for a moment. Even William and Patrick look somber.
“Okay,” I say. “Daph?”
We all look at my sister. She and Tony clasp hands and smile at each other, and I instantly know that they have big news. That we will all have something real to be happy about.
Sure enough, my sister smiles angelically and says, “Tony and I want to do one together this year.” Then she looks around the table and says, “We are grateful that God is finally blessing us with a child.”
My mother gasps. “Dear God! You’re pregnant! It’s a miracle!”
“No, Mother,” Daphne says quickly. “I’m not pregnant But you’re right, it is a miracle.”
Her voice breaks as if she is about to cry so Tony continues for her. “We’re adopting a baby. A baby boy. He’s due on December twenty-second.”
For one moment, we are all stunned and then our collective shock converts to the purest form of joy, the kind that translates to simultaneous laughter and tears. Daphne regains composure, telling us to eat before the food gets cold.
“As if we can eat! Tell us the details,” Maura says as she stands and hugs Daphne, then kisses Tony.
We all follow suit, standing in line to congratulate the proud parents-to-be. Even Scott seems to forget that he is in the doghouse as he high-fives Tony.
Then as we all sit back down and share our Thanksgiving meal, Daphne tells us about her fateful meeting with her son’s birth mother in an Easy Spirit store at the mall in Huntington. We all laugh at her introduction because it is just like Daphne to befriend strangers.
“Easy Spirit ?” Maura says and then mockingly spouts off the company motto, ” ‘Looks like a pump, feels like a sneaker!’ ”
Daphne smiles and says to Maura, “I know, you’re appalled by my fashion sensibilities, but those shoes are so comfortable And I’m not trying to impress fifth-graders with my footwear.”