Chapter 101

She couldn’t help the smile as she listened to the laughter coming from the other room. Leaving the tray she was arranging, Cilla moved to the doorway. The football game was on the television and Jon was on the floor wrestling with Jake and Romeo. It was good to see him smiling. After what happened that morning she was sure he would be scowling all day; to himself anyway. He was so hard on himself and there was no reason for him to be. But for now at least, he seemed to be enjoying himself. Maybe he had finally put this morning out of his mind.

Moving back to the counter she busied herself with the tray of cheese and crackers. Lost in thought she didn’t hear Jon come up behind her and jumped when he whispered in her ear.

“Got a snack for a hungry boy?”

She dropped her head forward as he pressed a kiss to her nape. "Why, are Jake and Romeo hungry?"

He growled playfully in her ear. "Smart ass." He reached around her and snagged a piece of cheese. "They're growing boys, they're always hungry."

He stepped to the refrigerator, searching for something to drink, careful to keep his hands to himself. He still didn't trust himself. Not after what he did to her that morning. It didn't matter that she said she was fine, that he hadn't really hurt her. He had let himself get too out of control with her when he knew better. That was unacceptable.

He moved around her in the kitchen. It was big enough that he didn't have to be in her way. He helped get the snacks on the table and set out glasses and uncorked the wine. He would help her out any way he could today, he just wouldn't put his hands on her until he could be sure he wouldn't hurt her again.

~

When the knock sounded at the door Cilla let out a sigh of relief. She wasn't sure how much more of this Jon she could take. He was doing everything in his power to be in the same space as her but to not come near her. It was frustrating her to no end. She could see the determination in him to be careful around her and it was pissing her off. There was no need for him to be doing this but he just couldn't seem to understand that. She hoped whomever was at the door would be distraction enough for him to forget and let go.

It was Mark and Sid. If anyone could provide distraction, it was Sid. He swung Cilla into a hug, "you are getting way too thin girl, you'd better eat today."

She laughed as she found her footing again. "I eat everyday Sid. You know that."

Jon came up behind her, "it's just that two days a week, she can't seem to keep anything in her stomach." He reached out and shook Sid's hand. "How are ya Sid?"

They exchanged pleasantries but the distance between Jon and Cilla didn't go unnoticed by Sid. He and Cilla had been friends long enough that he knew just by looking at her that something was bothering her. He intended to find out what it was. He just needed to get her alone. He took Cilla's arm and dragged her to the doorway. "Are you going to give me a tour?"

She tried to pull her arm away, "it's not my place. Maybe Jon will if you ask him nicely."

Jon waved her off, "go ahead, you know what's what and where everything is. Mark and I are going to get a drink and watch a little football." He ushered Mark toward the kitchen before Cilla could say anything.

Cilla towed Sid toward the dining room. "What's the big idea Sid? What do you want?" She knew he was after something she just wasn't sure what.

"What's up with you and Jon? Did you two have a fight or something?"

She shook her head, "no. Why do you ask?"

"I know something's not right between you two. I could see it when we walked in. What's going on?"

With a sigh she explained what had happened that morning and how Jon had been acting ever since. "He thinks I'm going to break or something. He's treating me so different Sid. I don't know how to get him to see that I'm the same as I was four months ago. Before we knew I had cancer.”
He studied her for a moment. "My guess is that he's scared and worried. Cut him some slack here Cil. This may not be new territory for you, but it is for him. Don't be too hard on him for wanting to be careful."

Taking his hand she urged him toward the door. "I'll think about it. Come on, let's get this tour over with."

Shortly after Sid and Mark arrived, Jennie and Abby came knocking on the door. When Cilla found out that they would be alone for the holiday she insisted that they join Jon and her for dinner. Abby had been so excited Jennie couldn't say no. Cilla had barely made it out of the kitchen when she was accosted by Abby in the hallway.

"Miss Cilla, we made it!"

Laughing, she hugged the precocious child close. "I see that. I'm glad you could be here." Her laughter faded when she realized Abby was wearing a blue sparkly bandana on her head, her beautiful dark curls having succumbed to the chemicals that were supposed to be helping her. "Your scarf is lovely Abby."

She beamed up at Cilla. "Thanks. I like yours too."

Cilla smiled back the child. "Come on with me, there are a couple of kids in the other room I'd like you to meet."

After getting Abby introduced and settled into a game with Jake and Romeo she headed back to the kitchen. Pouring herself and Jennie each a glass of wine she perched on the stool next to Jennie. "When did it happen?"

Jennie smiled sadly into her glass. "Just the other day. It was horrible."

Cilla took a sip of her wine. "For her or for you?"

"Me. She talked the whole time about how she was going to be like you now. I'm scared for her."

Cilla grasped her hand, "I'm afraid for her too, but I want to believe more than anything that she's going to be fine. That we both will be. She's a strong little girl. If anyone can beat this, she can."

Jennie squeezed her hand, "your lips to God's ear Cilla. I don't want to think about losing her. She's all I have."

"Let's not think about that today." Cilla gave Jennie's hand one last squeeze and got up to check the turkey. "Let's talk about how fantastic this bird smells and hope it tastes as good as it looks."

Jennie nodded and found a smile. "It does smell good. Can I help with anything?"

~

The turkey did indeed taste as good as it looked. The picked over carcass on the platter attested to that. The kids cleared the table and the adults sank back in their chairs with a collective groan.
"I'm stuffed" Sid muttered. "Do you have to be such a damn good cook?"

Cilla shrugged. "It's what I do Sid. I hope you saved room for dessert."

Another groan echoed around the room.

Jennie pushed her chair back. "I can't even think about putting another crumb in my mouth."

Cilla stood, "I'll at least put the coffee on while I get the dishes going."

Jennie followed her into the kitchen. "Let me help. It's the least I can do after you fed us that fantastic meal."

They worked in tandem to clean up the aftermath of a Thanksgiving meal. After the last dish was loaded in the dishwasher, after the last container of leftovers had its own spot in the refrigerator, Cilla sat down and heaved out a breath. "I'm exhausted." She had the dark circles under her eyes to prove it. "I forgot how tiring it is to cook a meal for so many."

Jennie patted her arm. "You just sit there and I'll get the desserts out."

"Make sure you get out one extra plate." She indicated to the cupboard. "Richie's coming for dessert."

Jennie's hand faltered on the cabinet pull. "What?"

Cilla nodded, "yeah, he had dinner with his mom and said he'd be here for dessert. He's hoping for cannoli I'm sure."

No sooner were the words out of her mouth when the knock came at the door. "Jon" she called out, "can you get that?"

She heard Jon mutter something then the next thing she knew Richie was standing behind her, hands on her shoulders pressing a kiss to her head. "Happy Thanksgiving Cilla."

She got up and hugged him. "Happy Thanksgiving Richie."

He straightened and that's when he saw the other woman in the kitchen. "And who do we have here?"

"Rich" she took his hand, "I'd like you to meet my friend Jennie." She moved over to Jennie, "and Jennie, I'd like you to meet my friend Richie."

Pulling his hand from Cilla's he took Jennie's. "It's nice to meet you Jennie."

She smiled shyly and shook his hand. "You too Richie."

Just then Abby came running in. "Is it time for dessert yet?" She stopped when she saw Richie. "Who are you?"

Richie looked down at the little girl and was momentarily at a loss. Her face was a miniature of Jennie's but head was wrapped in a scarf like Cilla's. Did she have cancer too? He crouched down to her level and held out his hand, "I'm Richie, Jon and Cilla's friend. It's nice to meet you."

Abby studied him for a minute then smiled hugely at him. "I'm Abby. It's nice to meet you too."