CLOSET SKELETONS IV

Sitting in a pub the night before Thanksgiving, Darlene sat at a table in a dark corner staring at her mug of brandy,gently swirling the liquid around in the glass, thinking about things. Lost in thought. Wondering what her family was doing for the holiday.

Right then something interrupted her train of thought. The bar door opened and in burst a jovial woman swinging her pocketbook. Darlene and the woman made eye contact and both lit up with huge grins.
"My buddy!" The woman sing song yelled. Darlene raised her glass to toast her as she made her way over to the table.

"How the hell are ya Cherie?" Darlene asked as the woman pulled up a chair. Cherie waved the bartender down and ordered a beer before answering, "Not cooking for my family that's for damn sure!"

Darlene chuckled and raised her glass again, "Cheers to that one!"

Beaming, Cherie informed, "Daddy died last year so I ain't in the mood but all my brothers and sisters and their bunches came piling over uninvited without a second thought thinking I was going to keep it up again this year when none of 'em ever lift a finger to help, well, they got another thing coming!"

She and Darlene laughed together and turning somber, Darlene explained, "Well, my bunch kicked me out years ago just 'cuz i'm gay and told me I wasn't welcome and to never come back so I ain't!"

Cherie gazed thoughtfully at her friend of twenty years. It was a shame how family could do ya. Thumping the table, Cherie announced, "I got an idea!" Darlene looked up in curiosity and Cherie continued, "Why don't me and you just have our own Thanksgiving? We are all the family each other needs."

Darlene thought about it and smiled. Nodding, she reached across the table and took Cherie's hand, "Cherie, that's a wonderful idea. You and I have been the best of friends for twenty plus years, we've dated on and off and we're still close. We are all the family we need!"

Cherie squeezed Darlene's hand affectionately and waved the bartender over again. When he arrived, Cherie inquired, "Sam! It's Thanksgiving! What kinda food you got around here?"

The man glanced back at his bar and suggested, "Peanuts. Might have a couple of packs of ramon noodles."

Cherie thumped the table and handed him a wad of biills, "Bring us each a bowl of them and another round."

Sam nodded and walked away.A short time later he returned with the steaming noodles and instead of their regular drinks he brought them a bottle of champaigne. Setting everything on the table he said, "Thought since the two of you was celebrating, yas deserved a nicer drink than the usual."

Cherie and Darlene thanked their bartender for being so kind. Once he had left them alone, Darlene poured their drinks and the pair dug into their Thanksgiving meal. Cherie got tickled and began giggling. "To think my bunching is sitting at my house waiting on a big meal like a bunch of idiots."

Darlene grinned, "I'm going to hate pasta after this!" The two laughed heartily together enjoying their holiday with each other. Each thankful for the meager meal and company because it was all they had.