lookout for signs that Bets was losing it, and bringing up train travel out of the blue was a bit strange.
“Should we go around and say what we’re thankful for?” Weezy suggested. It was something they’d done when they were little, and every so often, when conversation was lacking, they did it again. One year, Drew said he was thankful for the dirt bike that he’d gotten for his birthday, and Bets tried to make him choose something else. He’d refused, telling her that really was what he was most thankful for. Bets got mad and told Maureen that she’d raised materialistic children. Weezy had come to her defense, and all the kids went upstairs to play and listen to their mothers fight with their grandmother. Will had gone into the kitchen to clean, which was more desirable than staying at the table and fighting over a dirt bike.
Now, when they went around the table to say what they were thankful for, everyone gave up and just said “Family” and “Health” as their answers. Weezy was about to start, when Cathy interrupted her.
“Well, actually, I have an announcement to make,” she said. She looked around the table and smiled, looking a little nervous. “Last night I asked Ruth to marry me, and she said yes!”
Claire thought she felt time stop. Bets had her fork in her hand and she held it right above her plate, a strange little smile on her face. Everyone else stared at Cathy, as though it would take a minute to understand what she had said. Finally, Martha squealed and jumped up to run around the table and hug Cathy and Ruth. Once she moved, everyone seemed to get unfrozen.
“This is so exciting,” Martha said over and over.
“Will you be my maid of honor?” Cathy asked. Martha started to cry and Claire rolled her eyes before she could stop herself.
“Of course,” Martha said.
“Well,” Maureen said. “What a surprise. Well. What a happy Thanksgiving.”
“To the engaged couple,” Will said, holding up his glass. Claire knew he would repeat the story later, to friends and coworkers, saying, “You can’t pick who you love, you know. As long as they’re happy, we’re happy.”
They all raised their glasses and clinked them to the right, to the left, and the center. Now Claire knew why Cathy had mentioned Doug. She really did feel bad that she was going to announce her engagement so soon after Claire’s ended. That’s why it was sincere.
Cathy turned to Claire. “Will you be my bridesmaid?” she asked.
“Of course,” Claire said. “I’d be honored.” She took a sip of wine.
LATER, AFTER THE TABLE WAS CLEARED and the dishes were stacked, and the dishwasher was started, they all rested in the family room. It would probably be two days before the kitchen was really clean again. It never seemed worth it to Claire, to make all that mess for one meal. But then again, Thanksgiving was not her favorite holiday.
Someone suggested playing a game, but no one really wanted to, so they just sat around for a while. Will fell asleep in his chair and started snoring loudly. Claire leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes, and when she opened them, Maureen, Cathy, and Ruth were getting ready to leave.
Everyone hugged, and Bets went up to bed. Will stood up and stretched, pretended that he hadn’t been sleeping and said that he was heading to bed as well. The house smelled like turkey grease, which made Claire feel a little sick.
Claire and Martha unloaded the dishwasher and got another group of dishes in, and then they started washing the china and crystal by hand. “Oh, thanks, girls,” Weezy said. She was on the couch with her feet up. “You don’t have to do all that. I’ll be there in just a minute.” But her eyes were closed, and she looked like she couldn’t have moved if she wanted to.
Martha kept talking about Cathy’s wedding. “I’ll have to give a speech,” she said. She almost dropped the wineglass she was drying. “What will I say? Oh, I’m already nervous. What do you think she’ll want us to wear?”
“Burlap sacks,” Claire said.
“Very funny. Ruth has a great sense of style.”
“Yes, but we’re Cathy’s bridesmaids. I think she’ll be the one picking out the dresses.”
“Oh, well, we can suggest some things. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not.”
They finished the second round of cleaning, and Claire went upstairs to get ready for bed. Martha came up a little while later, when