It was Belinda and Stuart’s first Thanksgiving as a married couple. There were already two children and a third on the way. Belinda wanted to host the family Thanksgiving. “It’s our turn,” she said.
She was a very competent cook, and planned a simple, homely Thanksgiving Dinner. Present were to be Belinda and Stuart, the two children, Stuart’s mother and father, and Belinda’s sister and her partner.
Water Chestnuts Wrapped in Bacon
Roast Turkey
Cranberry Sauce
Gravy
Stuffing
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Glazed Carrots
Pumpkin Pie
Whipped Cream
Ice Cream
“No! No! No! No! No!” said Belinda’s mother-in-law. “Not like that! Like this!” She took the turkey out of the oven and rearranged things, stuffing and all. “Let me do it.” Belinda stood there in semi-amazement. She began to prepare the potatoes.
“No! No! No! No! No!” said Belinda’s mother-in-law. “Not like that! Not everyone likes garlic in their potatoes. Let me do it.”
On and on it went. Belinda wasn’t allowed to even baste the turkey. Thank goodness she had made the pumpkin pie a day earlier.
The meal began. The turkey was dry. The stuffing was horrible. The mashed potatoes were sloppy. The beans were overcooked. The carrots were raw. The cranberry sauce was tart and inedible. “Don’t worry, Stuart darling,” said Belinda’s mother-in-law. “She’ll get better at it as the years go by.”
Out came the Pumpkin Pie. It was delicious.
“Of course it is,” said Belinda’s mother-in-law. “She’s got a modern oven that does everything for you. At least that’s one thing, Stuart darling, you can be thankful for.”