My Writing Group Prompt Is “Symmetry.” Here’s My Story:
An old idea is sometimes best. That’s why I mailed the 24-holiday invites for my Thanksgiving dinner feast. “No one writes anymore. My personally hand-crafted invitations are sure to make an impression on the family,” I concluded with joy.
After hours of planning, the dining room is decorated with a symmetrical theme. The chairs have golden nameplates for each guest. My parents Minnie and Jerry will sit together at the head of the table. My sister Marge and me, Martha, on the left. Brothers Joshua and Joseph, on the right. Males on the right, and females on the left. “Our family names starting with J and M add to the symmetry,” I point out. My girlfriends Tia, Rose, and Isabella will sit next to me. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my besties,” I pondered. “It will be good to see them.”
Next are the spouses of my siblings. Derrick will be seated on the right. Susan and Robin, on the left. Their children follow. Daisy, Betsy, Sophia, Luna, Olivia, and Emma are on the left. Aaron, Bernard, Gavin, Earl, Charles, and little Frank are on the right. Girls on the left, boys on the right. “12 adults and 12 children, perfect symmetry,” I say while looking at the colorful welcome family sign in the vestibule.
I’ve prepared fried turkey, barbeque beef ribs, roasted honey ham, and shrimp scampi. There’s still room on the table for homemade mashed potatoes, string beans, black-eyed peas, and sweet potatoes. Everyone’s favorite is mac and cheese, prepared with 3 different cheeses. I placed it center stage next to the meats. The apple and pumpkin pie for dessert will stay in the refrigerator with the strawberry vanilla ice cream until everybody wants dessert. Little Frank loves strawberry ice cream and apple pie, I recall. I’ll scoop out the strawberries just for him. An abundant amount of beer, wine, bottled water, and Kool-Aid are supplied for each age group.
Sunlight from the dining room window shines on the arranged dishes, silverware, and glasses. I take several pictures of the table to remember the love, time, and energy spent on preparing this meal for my family and friends. I wanted Dad to cut the meats but it was getting late. His carving skills match those of a professional chef, however, I’ve accepted my mediocre ability to carve will have to do for now.
I drink a second glass of Chardonnay while closing the dining room curtains. It was too dark to see the Thanksgiving decorations on my lawn. The extra hour of light from Daylight Saving Time came and went as the tears from my reddening eyes. Now my pumpkin spice candles take over the reins to continue showing the visual beauty of the food on the table.
“This truly is a lovely table setting,” I say, taking another sip of wine. “It has symmetry.”
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A/N: I read a story on WP years ago about a woman who planned a Thanksgiving dinner for her family. I don’t remember the author but I do remember tearing up for a few days. That story ended badly and I never forgot it. That’s the power of words. This story is my homage to that author and the writing prompt “Symmetry.”
Fictionista 
This was a wonderful treat to read.
I could relate to the main character – I like planning things out, and I think physical invitations are wonderful. I was probably projecting, as from the start, I knew this story wouldn’t end well. Most people aren’t appreciative of these details that some people put so much effort into. They don’t notice it, or if they do, they actually scoff about it.
I read through the comments and see there are different ideas people have, but to me – it was a mix of things – some of those guests have passed away, some live far away and have their own families to eat Thanksgiving with, while others might not be on speaking terms with the host. Things definitely evolve throughout the years. Not always for the better.
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Everyone has thoughts on why this dinner went wrong. Thanks for you insight’s Goldie.
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So I can never read the word Kool-aid in any context without squinting my eyes at it like –thats not poison right?— and the idea had flitted in my head that maybe she was going to poison all her guests (it being a kinder fate than what was to come — a mercy if you will) and when they dont turn up for the gathering…. well what happened to them where is everyone… has it begun already.. the End?
~B
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I forgot about the ‘Kool-Aid,” deaths some time ago. Good possible conclusion. My writing group suggested she has dementia and has imagined cooking and family not showing up. Another scenario could be she did something awful in the past while living in a small town. Family, friends and neighbors find out and she becomes exiled and disowned. This was a short write so I had to imagine why they did not show up. Thanks for the observation B.
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Interesting, very interesting… many things to enjoy at that time. But something has gone wrong – where are they all? And what happens next? Good one, Darnell.
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Yes, Where did they go??? Thanks Chris.
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And your story leaves us to conjure what comes next based on our own memories. Very clever, Darnell. Happy Thanksgiving!
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I wonder why she is estranged from family and friends? What happened to the RSVP’s? What happened to the food? Our minds will decide. Thanks for reading Annie.
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Sorry; I was distracted by national events when I read it the first time. Your story’s very good.
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