Baked Oysters by Joseph Galloway

Author:Joseph Galloway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love, forgiveness, spirituality, holiday, alcoholism, inspirational, christian, thanksgiving
Publisher: Joseph Galloway

Epilogue

Sam paused in the foyer. “Was that real?”

He poked his head out the front door, looking back out onto the porch. He saw two deserted chairs barely rocking in a gentle breeze. No hat on the spire. No pipe in an ashtray.

Annie walked up behind him. She noticed a glint of redness or puffiness in his eyes, “You alright?” She gave Sam a warm embrace and as she pulled away, she reached up as she always did and pinched an earlobe, smiling a knowing smile.

Sam and Annie walked arm in arm through the gallery to the dining room where the family began to gather from their various whereabouts around the house, yard, and patio. Sammie held the back door open as Stan escorted Mom into the house and over to her place at the head of the table.

Brittany barked out, “You kids find your names and get settled into your seats. I don’t want to hear any whining.”

Jimmy and Cole carried in the succulent slices of fried turkey and smoked pork roast on Martha’s grandmother’s antique platters. Maria and Martha brought out the last of the courses, as Stan began to pour the dinner wine. They all savored the sights and smells of what was surely the finest Thanksgiving feast ever.

With the circle completed, Sam raised his eyes to meet those of his sister and two brothers. “Did you go out on the porch…” Instantly he knew that they, too, had shared a deep, heartfelt encounter with the father that they all missed so much.

He glimpsed Annie giving Mom a warm, soft look that seemed to penetrate Mom’s holiday breastplate. Mom averted her eyes, looking down at her plate. Sam spied a reluctant smile form across her lips

Stan and Jimmy had an air of wonderment about them. They seemed relaxed and peaceful as they looked around the room and took in the grandness of the sight of this family. A calm settled over the room when chaos should have been about to embark.

The four siblings didn’t yet know about each other’s experiences. Sam’s had been unbelievable, dreamlike, almost supernatural. He knew in his heart that it was real. That feeling of irresistible, overflowing love welled up again.

Everyone looked to Sam, as host, to say grace. They held each other’s hands and bowed their heads for the traditional Davis family holiday blessing—the one that Pa-sir used to say. As he began to pray, it was Sam speaking, but could it be? It sounded like Pa-sir’s voice saying with heartfelt gratitude, “Heavenly Father, accept our thanks for these and all Thy many blessings . . . .”

The End

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