December 03, 2003
2003 Thanksgiving recap
Aurora smells of smoke from teenage cigarettes and middle age cigars
StoneyÕs Bar (Saloon?) has ÒGourmet PizzaÓ Ð no more Tombstone freezer by takeout counter
Middle brotherÕs ex-wife doesnÕt speak to my sister or me so we reciprocate the same
The town crier of teenage molestation by coach ambushes me and hovers over me and sends others to ambush me with questions and cigarette breath
The retired APD detective arrives with model-wanna-be son who smokes and hovers too closely to his step-mom
Retired APD detective plies older brother with rum
Drunken 250 pound man in plaid leans in as he falls by me every ten minutes, smells like an ashtray
Clothes smell so bad we hang our coats in cold garage for two days
DAY 2
Secondhand smoke hangover
Thanksgiving starts normally with anticipation of food and beer and family fodder
Thanksgiving ends in blood, smaller appetites and tears
Younger brotherÕs partner is rushed to emergency room after the crowd-frustrated dog takes a chomp at his face
Nine stitches
Non-drinking mom needs a belt
Fire truck and ambulance sirens heard racing by and we know someone else is having worse Thanksgiving
DAY 3
Freezing cold wind and snow flurries
Watch niece #3 play sophomore high school basketball at alma mater
Remember own antics in same field house
Visit friend and her visiting family and play three hours of cards
DAY 4
Dog sees doctor and is put on puppy prozac
Attempts to shop and lunch and move along our merry way thwarted
Car breaks down, gets towed, get rescued, borrow car
Little Owl grills us comfort food
Visit friend for one beer at other smoky haunt from yesteryear
Brother and partner resurface showing off stitches and good humor
Dad opens gift and proclaims, ÒYeah! A letter of resignation from George Dub-ya!Ó
Doorbell rings during dessert and sister says, ÓOh, itÕs the stripper.Ó
Brother says, ÒOur sister-in-law is here?Ó
See a 1910 family photo with child that looks exactly like me
Sister and I meet brother and partner at Walter PaytonÕs Brewery for nightcaps
Heated discussion about maternity, paternity and test tubes
Oswego High - sisterÕs employer and nieces alma mater wins state football championship in double OT
Hear the fire engines and honking busses returning home at midnight regaling the win
Watch third quarter of Bears game at Walter PaytonÕs Brewery
Visit high school friend and see her new house
Brother-in-law fries fish and chicken and play more cards
Retire early, sister happy it is soon over
DAY 6
Wait for a package of e-bought Christmas gifts that doesnÕt arrive
Have nice French bistro lunch with mom
Get a ride from niece to OÕHare and fly back to smokeless LA
Wonder what I was thinking when I thought Thanksgiving was less stressful than Christmas
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