Frank sat at his kitchen table on Thanksgiving Day, staring at his withered hands, purple veins evident under such thin skin. He glanced once or twice at the old rotary home phone hanging on the wall every couple of minutes, but it lay there, silently mocking him. The whole apartment was quiet as a tomb and that’s where he’d lived for the past ten years or so, like he’d been buried before his body was ready to breathe its last. But still it persisted in not stopping. Still his body demanded to go on like milk that remained way past its due date.
In fact, the only one who ever saw him anymore, besides that nurse that huffed and puffed and complained until she had finished and could escape, was that little high schooler. He’d tried the cranky old man routine on her until her persistent good nature saw through it. Then he’d pretty much accepted her company. Why, she was more family to him then his own.
He glanced over at the phone again. Not even a single call? It was Thanksgiving, for God’s sake. Did they think he already dead? Sure felt like it.
Of course, Henry had to be pushing 70 by now. Frank was sure his son was just getting together with his children and grandchildren and so on down the line. But still, why should Frank make excuses for his son, who had obviously forgot about his der old dad for the third year running? He’d never forgotten about Henry. Every time that boy had needed help with anything, Frank had been there with money, advice, whatever.
Of course, things had changed in the family since Helen died. She was the outgoing one, not Frank. Oh, everyone loved Helen. She was the life of the party. Just sit by old grandma Helen and she’d have you rolling in no time. But Frank? Why, he was just a cranky old goat: always so silent, like he’d already passed on. Nobody cared about the quiet ones. And when Helen passed about five years ago, cancer, quick moving, everyone just forgot Frank existed, like he was permanently on the sofa, observing but never really alive.
Oh, he’d gotten a call or two the first two years after Helen had passed, mainly from Marnie, his granddaughter. Her and Helen had been best buds. And what your best friend tends to cherish, you start to as well. But even the calls from Marnie dried up completely about three years ago and now there was this endless waiting.
Then there was a knock at the door, which was kind of strange as Frank expected everyone that ever visited him, specifically that nurse and the high school girl, to be at home enjoying the time with their family. At least, Frank thought he may have heard a knock at the door. Couldn’t be too sure these days. The hearing aid was going out and it was a chore to hear anything.
Just as he became certain that he had been tricked by wishful thinking, the knock came again louder. Now what? Probably some church group, looking to mark another good deed off their list. Maybe they’d finally get their heaven badge if they earned enough good deeds. Oh well, better to be annoyed then bored.
Frank moved slowly to the door and peeped through the hole. And there was that high school girl who visited him every Tuesday and Thursday. And she had somebody else behind her.
Frank eased the door slightly open, so that the chain stood between him and her. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
The high schooler smiled. “I thought I’d visit on Thanksgiving. Unless you had family over.”
Frank shook his head. “Nope. Just me. Not even a phone call.”
She frowned. “Well, that’s too bad. Maybe they’ll call later.”
Frank opened the door and noticed three others behind her. “I tried making excuses for them as well. Don’t waste your breathe. Now, who are these with you? You don’t usually bring them. At least I sure don’t remember if you do.”
“No Frank, I brought some of my family, if that’s okay.”
“Well, I don’t know. I don’t usually have visitors.”
The three others with her entered, bringing a few sacks along with them. They placed the sacks on the kitchen table, while Frank closed the door.
“Frank,” said the high schooler, “I’d like to introduce my father, Peter, my mother, Sharrie, and my brother, Tim.”
Frank looked them over but didn’t offer to shake any hands. “Now, what’s all this about? Got bored, did ya?”
Peter extended a hand. “Hi Frank, glad to meet ya. Hayley’s told us a lot about you.”
“Who’s Hayley?” Frank asked.
Peter rested a hand on the high schooler’s shoulder. “My daughter. She told us you’d be alone for Thanksgiving, so we thought we’d bring Thanksgiving to you. If that’s all right.”
Frank glanced over at the bags on the kitchen table.
“Yeah, I guess that’d be fine.” Frank said. “Mind the underwear on the couch.” That last was to the boy who was about to sit on the couch and just as quickly decided not to do that.
Sharrie smiled and approached Frank. “Frank, thank you so much for inviting us into your home. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
“An honor?” Frank frowned. “I doubt that. I like your daughter. She’s a good kid.”
Sharrie smiled over at Hayley, who was retrieving Frank’s underwear and other clothes which were strewn throughout the living room. “Oh, we think she’s a good kid as well. She sure speaks fondly of you.”
“Better eat it while it’s still hot,” said the boy as he finished fishing the last of the tubs from the sacks.
Frank could smell the turkey, cranberries and stuffing from where he stood. Suddenly the tears began to flow down his cheeks.
“Frank, you all right?” The man, Peter asked him.
Frank could just nod as he took his place at the table. There was only room for four chairs, so the high schooler had to get the one out of his room.
And then there was some mighty fine food, loads of laughter and some talking. Frank only caught about a third of what was said due to his hearing aid, but that was alright. He enjoyed just sitting in their company as they joked and talked about things he mostly had no clue about. But that was alright as well. After that, they watched some football, which Frank never really cared much about, but that was okay as well. But the talking and laughing continued and that was the important thing. Even though Frank didn’t add much to the conversation, it was happening all around him and that was good enough.
After the game, the boy and high schooler cleaned up the table as the family prepared to take their leave. Peter stopped to smile at Frank who was resting comfortably on the couch.
“I sure appreciate you letting my family share this holiday with you, Frank. It was nice getting to know you.”
Frank struggled to rise, but in the end decided to just sit there instead. His belly was full and he was getting a little sleep. “I want to thank you so much for coming to visit an old man. I don’t deserve any of this. You don’t know me from Adam.”
Peter smiled. “Everyone needs friends and family for the holidays and every day, Frank. Everyone deserves to be part of a family. And I want you to know that if you need anything at all, want to play a little cards or just talk to someone, you can count on me and my family.”
Frank’s eyes misted up. “Well, that’s mighty kind of you. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything, Frank. Get some rest. Today’s probably been busier than what you’ve had in a long time.”
“Yeah. Yeah, it has.”
At the door, Peter and his wife turned around once more before they left.
“It was good meeting you, Frank,” Sharrie said.
“You remember what I said, Frank.” Peter said. “You need anything at all, call me. I left my number by your phone.”
Frank could only smile faintly and nod as they left. It had been the best thanksgiving he’d had in quite some time.