“Good afternoon, Nana!” Emmie beamed. “Glad you made it again for the holidays!”
Her mother nodded, smiling appreciatively.
“Got fixins for your special gravy,” Nana’s daughter continued. “Whole family’s excited. Luke an’ Ryan been smokin’ the turkey all mornin’. No fightin’ bout it this time. I swear, there’s somethin’ special about yo’ gravy. Brings people together.”
A toothy grin followed. Her magic was working again.
“Jason and Jessie are drivin’ down from Charlotte…”
Misty flung open the door. “Git plates ready. Boys’r done wid’ the bird. How ‘bout you?”
Instead of scowling, Emmie cracked a smile at her sister. “Nana’s bin helpin’ me with the gravy.”
“Goodie,” Misty dialed back her bossy tone. “Can’t wait. Kids! Eatin’ time’s now!”
All four burst into the kitchen, two with cell phones and the others held game consoles.
Luke and Ryan entered via the backdoor with the turkey. “Bird’s smoked. How ‘bout you?”
“Just in time for Nana’s gravy.” Emmie announced. “She an’ I jus’ finished it.”
Ryan stammered “Oh…uh…thank you, Nana!”
Luke planted a kiss on his wife’s cheek, cementing their new truce.
Champ and Trig looked at each other, shrugged, and returned to their video games.
Misty went to Nana’s chair to hold a whispered conversation. “She says we should say grace…when Jason and Jessie git here”
In a minute, Nana’s youngest son entered with his wife. Jason the Presbyterian preacher, gave the blessing. He thanked Nana and her gravy for bringing everyone together.
Cecelia, Misty’s youngest child, frowned. “But Mama…”
Misty put a finger to her lips. “Jus’ eat your turkey, Cece.”
Sally, Emmie’s child, rolled her eyes.
Jason began. “We should all say what we’re thankful for.” He announced FEMA funds would rebuild their church.
Jessie’s said her cancer was in remission. Cheers erupted.
“Ima grateful that Georgia beat…” Luke began, but caught Ryan’s glare. He let his brother-in-law, the Auburn fan, off easy. “…economic expectations. That’ll help mah lumber store.”
Ryan added “I’m grateful for Nana and her gravy…” he gestured to her chair.
“But Mama!” Cece could not be contained. “Nana’s not here! That chair is empty!”
Everyone froze. “Yeah, where is she,” cousin Champ asked.
“She’s dead,” Trig snapped, without thinking.
Ryan moved to smack his son, but caught the look from the other adults, and withdrew his hand.
“Yes,” Emmie explained. “She passed away peacefully in her sleep earlier this week. Funeral’s gonna be next week. We wanted to wait until after the holidays to tell you kids.”
“She’s gone on to a better place…” Jason lectured, but Luke cut him off.
“Nana’s still here with us. Her gravy brought us together, kept us from fightin’ during th’ holidays.”
All said a silent prayer, then resumed their eating.
Cece tugged on her mother’s sleeve and whispered. “While you all closed your eyes to pray, I kept mine open. I saw her wink at me!”
Misty gasped, then looked over at the empty chair. “An’ I see her smiling at us too.”
INSTANT NOODLES 