Chapter 8

***

Dave and Kelly chatted on the phone a week back. Then they made a date for a drink on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, to meet in person. He picked a cocktail lounge that was part of a large steak house type restaurant. He offered to pick her up, but she wanted to drive and meet him there…in case she needed to make a hasty retreat.

The restaurant was not a super fancy place but very cozy. The cocktail lounge was a safe place to meet a stranger. The kind of place a couple could get in a corner and feel a bit of privacy. In an email about the meeting, Dave told her he was six foot tall and had a short haircut. He was thinking this was a large place, and he did not want her to need to figure out, which guy he was.

Kelly is not concerned about the cold meeting or has even thought about being able to find him. Once inside the lounge, however, it is crowded with many single guys in the place. As she looks around the room, there is a taller, handsome guy standing with a cardboard, hand written sign…reading, Hi Kelly.

Kelly saw the sign right off, walks up to him and shook his hand. “Dave I presume!”

“I wanted to make sure you didn’t end up with some other guy.” He has a little smile.

They order a drink, filling each other in on themselves and their connection to Amber and Matt. Dave had known Matt since high school. They have been best friends ever since. Amber had made sure he got Kelly’s business card, because she thought he and Kelly would like each other.

Dave and Kelly talked for an hour, telling each other about the main points of their lives. Dave had been married for two years. The marriage was rocky from the start and ended in divorce. He and Matt attended the local community college together. Matt majored in Fire Science; Dave majored in Law Enforcement. They had both chosen career paths early. Matt is also his SCUBA diving buddy and a good friend.

Dave and Kelly finish their second drink and leave the lounge. He gives her a hug in the parking lot and promises to email her soon. She likes him. He makes no attempt to kiss her.

By the time Kelly gets home and on the computer, there is an email from Dave. He thanked her for the pleasant first meeting. He asked her out to dinner after Thanksgiving. Kelly thinks that would be great. He would call her to set it up.

***

Kelly can be on the wild side in her naughty adventures, but when it comes to family, she is quite another person. She grew up in a loving family with two sisters and a brother. Her mom and dad came from large families. Her list of close relatives is lengthy. Holidays are always a big family affair.

Her family celebrates both Thanksgiving and Christmas at her parent’s house. Her mom and dad’s house is the only one large enough to accommodate everyone. With Thanksgiving coming up, Kelly has checked in with her mom to see what she needs. Kelly usually went over to her mom’s the day before to help—spending the night. She is the main helper on Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving has always been special.

It is more than just Thanksgiving Day. On the Saturday after, is the annual Christmas parade. Everyone shows up at Kelly’s parents’ home again for turkey soup and leftovers. After dinner, they head to the main street of their town…about four blocks away. On the main street, they watch the Christmas light parade. The parade is totally small town, with high school bands, lighted floats, and participants of all kinds.

The parade ends with Santa and Mrs. Claus. After the parade, they go to a little, old house on the boulevard. The house is lighted and decorated for Christmas from one end to the other. Santa throws magic dust, and a thousand lights illuminate a sixty-foot Christmas tree. Cookies and hot chocolate are served, while the kids get in line to see Santa. It is simple small town fun and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

Kelly is right in the middle of it, helping with the cookies and chocolate, while she organizes the line to see Santa. She even supplied the candy canes given out by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Her family is always awed by Kelly’s enthusiasm and energy. She is at the center of all the work and all the activities. Kelly seems so confident. She is so nice looking; it is hard to believe it was not always like this. There was a time when things were different.