by Douglas Young<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre you coming or not?\u201d An exasperated Dorinda Thompson called from the bottom stair as her 20-year-old son Oliver fussed with his hair. He had skipped the last three Thanksgiving family reunions at Aunt LaDonna and Uncle Mooney\u2019s house two hours away. Always awkward facing so many relatives, he felt thoroughly inadequate when asked what he had done over the past year. Nor had he ever bonded with many of his kin there, and several of his relations had long struck him as distinctly disagreeable. For most of his life he silently endured their various slights and insults, nursing them bitterly ever afterward. However, in adolescence his anger began to trump his shyness and he started to snap back sarcastically. But this had made the reunions more tense for him \u2013 and his mother — prompting him to stop attending.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His older sister Sydonie always liked big family gatherings. Pleasant by nature, pretty, and enjoying company, she was a star at such affairs. Oliver envied how happily she seemed to glide through life. In high school, her story struck him as a never-ending parade of fun times with friends, dates, dances, and honors. While she was their school\u2019s most sought-after cheerleader on the homecoming court, he was in therapy twice a week taking pills for anxiety and depression. Now her college sorority president, when relatives asked about Sydonie at Thanksgiving, she comfortably spoke at length about her many awards, travels, and exciting opportunities. Oliver felt his life looked palpably pale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His mother let him miss the last three reunions out of concern for his state of mind and to avoid having to repair hurt feelings among any relatives annoyed at her son\u2019s occasionally tart tongue. But she implored Oliver to attend this year\u2019s get-together since she sensed he had been more isolated of late and she could not stand the thought of her solitary son spending still another Thanksgiving alone or her having to make up yet another excuse for his absence. He finally relented to join the rest of the family since he had been extra lonely, his mother assured him so many of his kin had asked about and wanted to see him (what she saw as a noble lie), and his father had requested he join them this year, promising to chat with him if he felt uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Why do I even care what these people think of how I look?<\/em> Oliver asked himself as he painstakingly perfected the part in his hair. But he knew he cared far more what others thought than he liked to admit.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On the drive to Aunt LaDonna and Uncle Mooney\u2019s house, Sydonie was continually on the phone talking, texting, checking images, videos and posts, and taking pictures. Oliver read a book, occasionally looked out the window, and periodically checked his watch to see how much longer until they arrived and how many more hours before they likely returned home.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat a joy to have the whole family going to the reunion,\u201d their mother exclaimed as Oliver burrowed deeper into his novel. \u201cLaDonna says there\u2019s gon\u2019 be a real fine turnout this year, sure enough. Won\u2019t we have such a big time seeing everybody?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI wonder how Aunt Madina\u2019s doing now,\u201d her husband asked smiling at his son in the rear-view mirror while his wife frowned at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow let\u2019s please not make fun of my hypochondriac aunt,\u201d Dorinda implored her husband.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see now. As I recall, last year she was in the throes of hemorrhoids,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI remember her complaining about toe fungus at the last reunion I attended,\u201d Oliver said grinning at his father in the rear-view mirror while his sister texted friends.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI wonder what it\u2019ll be this year,\u201d their father said.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s bet on it,\u201d Oliver replied.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, let\u2019s not,\u201d his mother interjected. \u201cNow Aunt Madina\u2019s always been high strung, and we just need to be kind and understanding and remember her in our prayers. She\u2019s so sweet and just needs someone to listen to her since the poor thing\u2019s been a widow for more years than I can remember and is just lonely as all get out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe we should find another hypochondriac for her to marry,\u201d Oliver offered as his father chuckled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow I mean it, y\u2019all,\u201d his mother insisted in a raised voice. \u201cPlease. We only see her once a year and for just a few hours at that. It means the world for Aunt Madina to get to see everybody, and she\u2019s gon\u2019 be thrilled to see how much you\u2019ve grown, Oliver.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As they got nearer their destination, Sydonie grew more excited while her brother felt the butterflies in his stomach start to rise.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, now this is real important, y\u2019all.\u201d Their mother turned to her children in the back seat. \u201cI want y\u2019all to be extra sweet to your Cousin Rhiannon Rand. Your Aunt LaDonna tells me that Rhiannon\u2019s had a right troublesome time in college. You know, she was always a real quiet little thing, and I \u2019spect leaving home was awful hard on her. Well, anyway, the poor dear was recently in a mental hospital for depression. So I want everyone to please be extra sweet to that child, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, absolutely,\u201d Sydonie promised. \u201cWe\u2019ll make a point of making her feel extra welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, sweetie. Oliver, did you hear me?\u201d His mother asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, ma\u2019am. Have I ever been anything but nice to Rhiannon, or anyone else at these things?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, you\u2019ve made some pretty pointed remarks to a few of your kin, as I recall,\u201d his mother declared.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRichly deserved, and only to the jerks who took unprovoked shots at me first,\u201d her son quickly replied.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoney, I know there are some difficult people in my family,\u201d his mother acknowledged with raised hands. \u201cAnd I\u2019m not excusing any misbehavior. Believe me, I grew up with them and know better than anyone how tiresome some of them can be.\u201d She sighed. \u201cAnd I do so appreciate you joining us this year, Oliver. Oh, Lord knows, I do, dear. I just want this to go well so we\u2019ll all want to come back next year and every year. Most of the family are really good people. So let\u2019s please focus on them, \u2018turn the other cheek\u2019 if somebody\u2019s rude, and just think what Jesus would do if anybody\u2019s ugly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs I recall, Jesus also ran the money-changers right out of the temple,\u201d Oliver noted as his father winked at him in the rear-view mirror.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOliver, please don\u2019t be difficult, dear, and do make a special effort to be sweet to your Cousin Rhiannon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWill do. She was always kind, real quiet, had a pleasant smile, and was cute to boot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, dear. Let\u2019s just all be at our best today and make a fun family reunion,\u201d his mother stated with a sigh.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As they walked in the front door of Aunt LaDonna and Uncle Mooney\u2019s home, a couple dozen conversations were creating currents of noise flowing throughout the downstairs. Occasional bursts of laughter echoed above the din as people retold family stories with new wrinkles and exaggerations.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This could be the worst part of the whole affair for Oliver since he had to greet so many people. But due to this year\u2019s larger number of attendees, he was grateful for the extra volume and greater ability to get lost in the crowd, fondly recalling a line from one of his favorite authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald: \u201cAnd I like large parties. They\u2019re so intimate. At small parties there isn\u2019t any privacy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oliver was relieved to spot his Great Uncle Thornton who always had a kind word, shared a love of history, and harbored zero pretentions. Seeing him as an island of security in a sea of sharks, Oliver went to him. Uncle Thornton proceeded to recount his recent trip to ancestral homelands in Scotland where he and Oliver\u2019s Great Aunt Joanne had enjoyed exploring cities and hiking hills.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNephew, I got more exercise than a fellow following his wife around one of them great big groceries.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To a cousin walking by asking where Joanne was, Thornton exclaimed, \u201cLord, I’ve lost my wife and I’m too old to train a new one. She\u2019s around here somewheres. I\u2019m confident she\u2019ll turn up. After \u2019bout near sixty years of marriage, she hasn\u2019t left me yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moving on to other relatives, Oliver noticed a petite girl his age standing alone with black hair and blue eyes whom he soon realized was Cousin Rhiannon. Looking lonely and timid, she was prettier than Oliver remembered. Typically too intimidated to approach a good-looking girl, his cousin\u2019s shared shyness reassured him and he walked to her. She smiled as he extended his hand and introduced himself.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know you. You don\u2019t need to tell me,\u201d she stated. \u201cIt\u2019s been a while since I\u2019ve seen you at one of these.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019m not too partial to some of the company,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A giggle shattered her sad countenance and suddenly he adored her. They made small talk about their respective colleges while occasionally waving at or speaking to various relatives walking by them. Oliver was struck by how easily Rhiannon conversed, and he felt a charge each time he made her laugh talking about one eccentric relative or another.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Suddenly their Great Aunt Madina gave each a hug and a kiss and inquired about their studies. Since neither her niece nor nephew was very comfortable talking about her or himself, Rhiannon soon asked how their aunt was.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, child, your Aunt Madina is in the initial stages of Alzheimer\u2019s,\u201d she pronounced.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, my God,\u201d a stunned Oliver exclaimed. But as she continued talking, it struck Rhiannon and Oliver that their aunt\u2019s mind, speech, and manner appeared quite sharp. She soon departed to share her latest illness with as many other relatives as would listen.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When she left, their Great Uncle Lewis greeted them. He was a big man who was the most prominent doctor in the local small town. Oliver and Rhiannon had each been treated by him when visiting his family as children, and both were fond of his story-telling prowess. Oliver considered Lewis the smartest person in the whole family tree and, though he liked his great uncle immensely, felt extra self-conscious around him since he sensed he could read his thoughts. Rhiannon appreciated her uncle\u2019s kindness and that he never inquired whether she had a boyfriend or asked why not. Her mother periodically consulted Uncle Lewis about her daughter\u2019s delicate emotional health. Rhiannon not only knew this but wished her uncle was a psychiatrist she could see.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soon the relative whom Oliver and Rhiannon felt most intimidated around held court nearby, and in his usual elevated voice. The Rev. Gideon Pillow was a cousin the same age as Uncle Lewis who made a point of being prominent everywhere he went. He had pastored more small, nondenominational churches than anyone could recall. Most had asked him to leave. Though a gifted public speaker, in personal dealings Reverend Pillow displayed a pronounced penchant for dispensing with decorum, especially if such tact inhibited him from pushing his\u00a0 uncompromising interpretation of the Bible. In their conversations, for years Oliver had timed how long before his pastor cousin invoked religion, no matter the topic. It had never taken more than two minutes. Whenever the minister inevitably inquired about the state of his soul, Oliver quickly changed the subject and moved on as soon as he could. Rhiannon studiously avoided him altogether.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cousin Gideon was standing close to Oliver, Rhiannon, and their Uncle Lewis when he started to discuss the recent death of a local 13-year-old boy whose family attended the pastor\u2019s latest church. The child had been a late-night passenger in a speeding car full of older teens that ran into a Mack truck, instantly killing the child.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Uncle Lewis stopped talking to listen closely to his cousin. Lewis was the boy\u2019s family doctor who had been at the hospital when the child\u2019s body was brought in by ambulance. Telling his desperate parents their son was dead had been one of the most emotionally searing experiences of his life as the mother collapsed in his arms sobbing uncontrollably.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lewis had never cared for Cousin Gideon, and the contempt was returned. Even as boys many decades before, Lewis had dismissed Gideon as a self-righteous blowhard with little discernible empathy. Gideon had disdain for Lewis as a lost agnostic not remotely deserving of his tremendous professional success and public respect. While frequently at odds as children \u2013 once even physically fighting \u2013 for decades they had studiously kept their distance.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But Lewis was now keenly interested in his cousin\u2019s confident pronouncements about the recent tragedy and felt engulfed by a rising wave of revulsion. He, Rhiannon, and Oliver listened closely as Reverend Pillow pontificated to some out-of-state cousins.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, it\u2019s a sad story that we\u2019ve seen all too many times before,\u201d the minister loudly lamented. \u201cA young boy running around with the wrong crowd, not properly disciplined by his parents who, alas, and I\u2019m afraid all too predictably, had serious troubles of their own. Such a sin and a shame the lad had yet to accept Christ. Alas, not two weeks before the accident, I asked yet again if he would be baptized to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior to join the ranks of the redeemed. But he declined. Oh, how it pained my heart not to be able to console the parents that their boy was with the Lord in Heaven. It just grieves me so to know that he now dwells forever in the fires of Hell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oliver noticed his uncle\u2019s nostrils flare as his eyes narrowed and seemed to bore into the pastor like lasers. Then the doctor spoke in a commanding voice.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou know, Giddy, it\u2019s bad enough you still peddle such bullshit. I\u2019m just curious if you actually believe any of that crap.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The silence enveloping the immediate area chilled all who heard. Folks sensed they were witnessing what would surely be a major event in family history as Gideon Pillow turned to his cousin with a startled expression of outrage.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI most certainly do believe the Word of God,\u201d he declared. \u201cIndeed, that is all I preach, and I pity anyone who doubts one perfect syllable of it. But I will pray for you, Lewis, that at last you untangle yourself from the wiles of Satan and return to the faith of your fathers before it\u2019s too late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A growing number of relatives stopped talking to stare and listen, and Uncle Mooney and Aunt LaDonna, concerned that something might be happening to jeopardize their carefully planned dinner, turned toward the combatants to see if anything was remiss.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAh,\u201d Lewis proclaimed, \u201cthe vicar of kindness, the cardinal of compassion, that great pastor comforter, His Holy Obnoxiousness Himself, the Rev. Ass Wipe. What a walking ad for a laxative \u2013 \u2018Extra Strength.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There were gasps and Oliver noted shocked faces all around, but saw Rhiannon was smiling.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Initially stunned, Gideon raised his head and pointed at Lewis. \u201cYour words have no effect on me, cousin, for I know Satan has put them into your mouth. I pity you but I will nevertheless pray that you turn away from your wickedness to become a true<\/em> Christian role model worthy of this town\u2019s respect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 With a sarcastic chuckle, Lewis retorted, \u201cIt\u2019s a real shame this town didn\u2019t have a good whorehouse when we were growing up so you could\u2019ve flushed some of that crap out of your system.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow dare you talk to a man of God like that,\u201d Gideon shot back.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd Hell\u2019s full of sons of bitches like you,\u201d Lewis replied with a grin as Gideon blanched.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To Oliver\u2019s delight, a few folks chuckled, including Rhiannon.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLewis, your weak words have absolutely no effect on me,\u201d Gideon declared, \u201cfor I am bathed in the blood of Christ\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cKeep talking and I\u2019m gon\u2019 bathe yo\u2019 ass in your own blood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sharing a look of horror, LaDonna and Mooney stepped between the cousins.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow that\u2019s enough!\u201d LaDonna declared. \u201cBoth of you. This is Thanksgiving<\/em>, for Heaven\u2019s sake, and I won\u2019t have such strife in this house. Enough, I say. Enough!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The combatants\u2019 wide-eyed wives arrived to pull them away and, in a booming voice, Mooney proclaimed it was time to eat. Lewis had a fixed smile while Gideon appeared discombobulated as their wives led them to opposite sides of the house.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 People began talking again, in low tones at first but quickly becoming boisterous. As everyone lined up to fill his plate, Oliver and Rhiannon grinned at one another.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow, Cuz,\u2019\u201d he observed, \u201cI\u2019d say we just witnessed the greatest moment in the history of these family reunions. In fact, I do believe I will be deep into dementia before forgetting this day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Laughing and nodding, Rhiannon replied, \u201cI\u2019m so glad my mom pushed me to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They ate together in a room with other college- and high school-aged kin. For a short while folks discussed the big blowup, but conversation soon shifted to other subjects.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oliver was thrilled that his favorite uncle had excoriated his least favorite relative, and in public. Even more satisfying was how swell he and his comely cousin were getting along.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But just as he was about to renew the conversation with Rhiannon, his second most reviled relation, Cousin Macy Keener, sat opposite them. The same age as him and Rhiannon, Macy was partial to embarrassing her shyer relatives with personal questions. She particularly enjoyed the energy produced by arguments, and especially delighted in personal insults.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, look who finally deigned to grace us with his presence again, the ever kind Cousin Ollie.\u201d Macy smiled at him. \u201cAfter not seeing you for so many years, we figured you were just way too good for us.\u201d Rhiannon\u2019s enlarged eyes turned to Oliver.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAw, a mighty Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Miss Macy,\u201d he replied as a now tense Rhiannon looked back and forth at them.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStill writing your little articles for the school paper?\u201d Macy asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry. They\u2019re only for folks who read,\u201d he answered as Macy chuckled and Rhiannon now smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStill living at home with Mommy and Daddy?\u201d Macy inquired.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a whole lot cheaper than getting an apartment or dorm room,\u201d Oliver noted. \u201cNot all of us have parents who can bankroll our living expenses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEver thought about staying in your dad\u2019s fraternity house? You do know he was a Delta Kappa Epsilon, don\u2019t you?\u201d Macy asked. \u201cMom tells me he was quite the big shot there in college. So did you ever think about pledging your old man\u2019s fraternity?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow there\u2019s a thought that never crossed my radar.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust as well,\u201d Macy remarked. \u201cIt\u2019d be right embarrassing if Daddy\u2019s fraternity rejected you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, wait.\u201d He smiled. \u201cI just thought of a frat house I might actually pledge: Who Kappa Cares?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rhiannon almost spit out her food laughing.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStill think you\u2019re a comedian,\u201d Macy remarked. \u201cHow\u2019s that working out for you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt keeps me regular,\u201d he replied. \u201cHey, I bet you\u2019re in a sorority.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJealous?\u201d Macy replied with raised eyebrows. \u201cChanging the subject, have you seen Edward today? I think I recall y\u2019all having a few choice words the last time you bothered to show up.\u201d She smiled. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen him today and I so hated his having to miss last year\u2019s reunion. He\u2019s always been my favorite cousin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah, Mr. Man-Bunned Beta Boy. I\u2019ve seen him riding on the back of his girlfriend\u2019s little motor scooter.\u201d Oliver observed with a smile as Rhiannon bit her lip but still could not keep from laughing.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStill Mr. Snide, huh, Ollie? I should pity you, but you make it kinda\u2019 hard.\u201d Macy then turned to Rhiannon who looked at her plate hoping to be left alone.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo how are you doing, Miss Rhiannon?\u201d Macy asked. \u201cEnjoying school? We didn\u2019t know whether you\u2019d be able to join us this year. Been anywhere interesting of late?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oliver wished Macy was a man so he could throw his plate at her. The sardonic smile on Macy\u2019s face as she looked at Rhiannon made him livid, but he decided to channel his anger. Rhiannon looked at Macy with unreserved contempt but, before she could answer, Oliver spoke.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStill a proud virgin, Macy? At the last one of these I attended, you bragged quite a bit about that. Of course, you were still in high school, and I imagine things have changed quite a bit since then, huh?\u201d Rhiannon smiled at Oliver and then Macy.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s our true Ollie,\u201d Macy declared, now angry and upset she had lost her composure. \u201cYou know, maybe the real reason you\u2019re so bitter is staring right at you in the mirror. Ever think about that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After a pause, he replied, \u201cI think we live on a small blue-green planet in an obscure solar system of a minor galaxy, and you need a really strong laxative.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rhiannon laughed openly and Macy quickly picked up her plate to move to another table as other cousins in the room either smiled or frowned at Oliver.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWow,\u201d Rhiannon remarked as she turned to him. \u201cI\u2019ve just witnessed not one but two verbal smackdowns. Bravo, Oliver.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oliver savored a rush of endorphins enhanced by the admiration of his new favorite cousin.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m really glad you\u2019re here,\u201d Rhiannon said to him in a soft voice.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAfter what she said to you, if she were a man, I\u2019d a-slugged her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rhiannon smiled at him for several seconds before eating again. Other than her parents, she was hard pressed to recall the last time someone had stood up for her like that, and she reflected that this was already the best reunion ever.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After the guests finished eating, many gathered in the den to watch an annual Thanksgiving football game on TV.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre you going to watch the game?\u201d Rhiannon asked Oliver as they threw away their plates in the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t cotton to watching brain damage, much less cheering it on,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not a fan either,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf I thought Uncle Lewis and Cousin Gideon might tangle again, I\u2019d hang around,\u201d Oliver stated, \u201cbut they seem to be scrupulously avoiding each other. I guess Aunt LaDonna gave them strict orders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cToo bad. I was hoping for more fireworks,\u201d Rhiannon added.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMe too. But looking at the backyard gives me an idea. How\u2019d you like to go in the woods where we all used to play and head to the river where we fished and swam years back? I used to love all that growing up, but haven\u2019t been back there in years.\u201d He looked at her hopefully.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s do it,\u201d she enthused.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Amidst the cacophony of conversations echoing through the house, they quietly went out the back door and walked across the yard into the woods where they soon found the old trail leading to the river. With most of fall behind them, each step brought the crunch of dried leaves. For the first time since they met late that morning, there was no chatting between them as each scanned the trees while inundated with memories of playing Capture the Flag and war games.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soon they reached the river bank where they had fished and swam as children. The big white pine tree on the water\u2019s edge still had an old tire hanging from a large limb, and Oliver climbed onto the tree trunk stretched out over the current. He turned and offered his hand to Rhiannon who took it to climb carefully onto the trunk and sit beside him with their feet dangling just above the water.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The river was embraced by a variety of trees and bushes on both sides. The pair marveled at how quiet the place was, in contrast to all the other times they had been there in the company of so many children.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI wish there was a place like this where I live,\u201d Rhiannon remarked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMe too,\u201d Oliver agreed. \u201cThis is the way to get through family reunions. Arrive just in time to eat and then come here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt works for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After absorbing their surroundings, they each looked down at the water. There was another silence and neither knew how to proceed. Finally, Rhiannon spoke.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI guess your mom told you where I\u2019ve been lately. From Macy\u2019s remarks, I reckon everyone knows.\u201d She sighed and looked in the distance.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Touched she would broach the topic with him, yet not wanting to say the wrong thing, Oliver finally decided he would just be honest, ever more confident she would understand what he meant if his words came out wrong.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFolks wish you all the best, Rhiannon. Mom told us to be extra nice to you since she heard you\u2019d had a really rough time lately.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs that why you\u2019ve spent time with me today?\u201d She looked at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He looked back at her, blinked, and thought a couple of seconds.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo. It\u2019s been right fun hanging out with you. In fact, it\u2019s a sure smiler knowing there\u2019s at least one other person at these events who\u2019d rather be someplace else \u2013 and you get most of my jokes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She chuckled as she leaned back a little, resting her hands on the tree trunk.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre you feeling better these days?\u201d Oliver asked looking at her.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After a pause, she turned to him. \u201cYes. I got the help I needed and I am doing better. Not great, but definitely improved. I\u2019m on medication now, and the shrink says I may need to take it the rest of my life, which kinda\u2019 sucks but, if it helps, so be it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s great if it makes you feel better,\u201d Oliver offered. \u201cSo what if you have to take some pills?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When she didn\u2019t answer but stared at the water, he hesitated before reflecting she had shared far more than he had and concluding he could trust her. Mainly, he wanted to help her feel better.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou think you\u2019re remotely the only one at this dinner taking nerve pills?\u201d He turned to her.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo. Just maybe the youngest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been on anti-depressants since I was fifteen,\u201d he stated quietly.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She looked at him and blinked a couple of times as he returned her gaze before looking at the limbs above.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHave they worked?\u201d She asked, still looking at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After a pause and now looking at the water, he answered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to kill myself as much. I sleep better. Things just don\u2019t seem as bleak, or at least not as often.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d she said softly. \u201cIt\u2019s the same with me. They\u2019re not a cure but seem to help me get through the day better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSame here.\u201d He turned to her and nodded.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou see a shrink too?\u201d She asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYep. Once a week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBeat you,\u201d she chuckled. \u201cI see mine twice a week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was seeing mine twice a week.\u201d He smiled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe we just need to be like Aunt Madina and share all our problems with whoever will listen,\u201d she stated before chuckling again.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOnly narcissists complain about their lives to others,\u201d he declared looking down river. \u201cThe truly troubled stay quiet. We know if we ever frankly shared our woes, we\u2019d be abandoned to boot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The smile left her but she continued looking at him as he stared at the water. He regretted sharing that last thought and hoped he had not soured their time together.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t abandon you,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He felt as if his whole body was hypnotized and recalled how much he used to enjoy a warm bath. His head felt dreamy and he wished the sensation would never leave. When he turned to Rhiannon, she held his eyes and soon smiled. He decided not to think but just follow his instincts.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When he moved toward her mouth, she extended herself to him before their lips met. He delicately cupped her shoulders and she embraced him. Since neither had much experience kissing, they traversed each other\u2019s mouth slowly. After a while, he peeked to see her eyes remained shut and quickly closed his as well. When it felt like they had been kissing a long time, he gradually withdrew his tongue and smiled. She smiled back and took his hand. He thought he felt the slightest tremor in hers. Rhiannon leaned her head on his shoulder and put her arms around his waist as he placed his left arm around her and leaned his head atop hers. They did not say anything for some time, content to gaze at the water.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rhiannon could not remember when she had felt this tranquil and desperately wanted the feeling to last. How she had longed to find someone other than her parents and psychiatrist in whom she could confide. She had even stopped dreaming of finding a romantic soulmate. Whatever became of this relationship, she was grateful for the moment and did not want to say or do anything to lose it.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oliver never imagined anything like this could happen today, and he had long had little hope of ever finding a girlfriend. It was liberating to feel so connected to someone, and all the more remarkable with someone he had never known well or thought of romantically. Neither of them said anything for a long time, but neither felt uncomfortable. Then Oliver smiled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, we are second <\/em>cousins, right? So this is legal in this state, correct?\u201d He said just before laughing. She grinned at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m already ahead of you, Oliver. We are second cousins indeed. So there\u2019s nothing remotely smacking of incest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood to know. Thanks. You know, it might be advisable to get off this limb. If we went back to the reunion drenched, that could prove a little awkward.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI definitely hear you, Cuz.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cUm. Maybe we should stop calling each other that,\u201d he requested.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAgreed.\u201d She giggled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unable to think of anything to say, and suddenly seized by the fear that they might not meet again for another year, he kissed her more passionately than before. She responded in kind and they held each other a long time. When he began to stroke her hair gently, she could only recall her mother doing that and worried she would cry. Noticing the lengthening shadows, Oliver looked at his watch to confirm it was now late afternoon when the guests would be leaving, including his family. He showed his watch to her.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI hate \u2013 and God knows I really do \u2013 to end this,\u201d he sighed, \u201cbut folks may start looking for us if we don\u2019t head back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He carefully stood and helped lift her up, after which they held hands as they walked back into the woods. Soon she had his hand in both of hers and leaned into him. They embraced and followed the trail together, each marveling at how much prettier the woods seemed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Just prior to reaching the edge of the woods within sight of Aunt LaDonna and Uncle Mooney\u2019s house, Oliver spoke.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf we don\u2019t want tongues to wag, now\u2019s the time to let go of each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIndeed. I think we\u2019ve got enough on our plates without that as well,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut if you\u2019ll please give me your phone number, I\u2019ll text you mine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSure. Thanks,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He put his arm around her again, took a picture of them smiling, and texted it to her. They walked into the backyard before entering the house to find most guests had already left. When Macy walked by and saw them enter the backdoor together, she wrinkled her brow and slowed down to look at them. Rhiannon gave her a grand grin, prompting Macy to look away and pick up her pace.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere you are,\u201d Rhiannon\u2019s mother commented to her daughter with relief. \u201cI was starting to worry about you, dear. We\u2019re all set to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oliver\u2019s family was ready to go as well and had begun to wonder where he went. When it was time to say goodbye, there was a brief awkward moment before Rhiannon and Oliver hugged.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On the ride home, Rhiannon\u2019s parents were delighted to see their most troubled child look out the window smiling.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the Thompson family car, Dorinda turned around to see Oliver looking content surveying the landscape.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAside from that unfortunate business between Uncle Lewis and Cousin Gideon,\u201d his mother declared, \u201cwhat a delightful reunion, and I want to thank everyone for being so sweet to Aunt Madina and especially to Cousin Rhiannon. Oliver, I even saw you give her a goodbye hug. That was so sweet of you, dear. Bless her heart. She could likely really use a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs could I,\u201d he responded.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell,\u201d his mother concluded with a contented smile, \u201cit sure was a fun family reunion.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Douglas Young \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre you coming or not?\u201d An exasperated Dorinda Thompson called from the bottom stair as her 20-year-old son Oliver fussed with his hair. He had skipped the last three Thanksgiving family reunions at Aunt LaDonna and Uncle Mooney\u2019s house two hours away. Always awkward facing so many relatives, he felt thoroughly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1730,77],"tags":[1565,1728,1123],"class_list":["post-15585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-egophobia-83","category-english","tag-douglas-young","tag-egophobia-83","tag-english"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6DakB-43n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15585"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15585\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15586,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15585\/revisions\/15586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}