MY BLACK FRIDAY

“Where's the gravy?” my husband Steven called out to me.

I went into the kitchen to see Steven and our son Alex pulling Thanksgiving leftovers from the refrigerator and piling the containers on the counter.

“You didn't throw it away again, did you?” Steven looked worried as he moved Tupperware around on the shelves.

“Are you ever going to let me live that down!” I cried as I reached in the back of the refrigerator and handed him the container of gravy.

“Wow, that was close.” Steven popped open the lid and smiled as he looked inside.

“I accidentally threw it away ten years ago!” I couldn't help but shake my head. “Maybe we could let it go now.”

“If you don't have gravy you might as well throw all the leftovers away.” he said to Alex as they pulled out plates and began loading them with their mid-morning dinner. Then he looked over at me. “If I remember correctly you blamed your sister for throwing it out.”

“Of course I did!” I had to laugh. “When I saw how upset you were, do you really think I'd take the blame?” I looked over at Alex for help. “She'd already left.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I had no idea he'd call her and ask why she threw it away.”

Steven looked at Alex. “It was gravy.” he said as if that's the only explanation he needed.

“Well anyway...” I wanted to change the subject. “It's the Friday after Thanksgiving and we all know what that means.” I smiled at both of them. “Can you two help me get the Christmas decorations down from the attic?”

Alex and Steven looked at one another then at their filled plates.

“Oh, come on!” I cried. “I'm the one who does all the decorating. I'm the one who climbs into the attic, all you have to do is grab the containers as I lower them down to you!”

Alex looked at Steven. “She has a point.” He put his plate in the microwave and started it. “Let's get this over with before we eat.”

The followed me into the hall and I pulled the stairs down. “I'll be quick!” I said as I climbed up the stairs and began looking around. “Whoa...it's a mess up here!” I called down. “Just give me a second while I move a few things out of the way.” I began crawling around pushing boxes around trying to make some sort of order out of the mess.

I'd been up there a bit when I finally found all the Christmas containers and began pushing them over to the opening. “Okay, I'm ready!” I called down to them. I didn't get an answer. I moved the boxes away and looked down at the hallway but neither one was there. I climbed back down to look for them. “Hello!” I called as I went back into the kitchen. They were both at the dining room table eating their leftover Thanksgiving. I put my hands on my hips a little bit annoyed that they left me up there. “Seriously?” I asked. “You couldn't wait ten more minutes?”

Steven looked over at me and smiled. “Hey, we can't help it if we love your turkey and stuffing.”

“And your turnips and potatoes!” Alex added. “The microwave went off and it smelled so good we couldn't wait.” He held up the zip lock bag of pumpkin muffins. “Want one?”

I sighed as I filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove. “Sure, why not.” I sighed as I sat down with them. “But right after you're done eating you're going to help me right?”

“Promise.” they said in unison.