Part 29

Dear Diary,

I had never really cared much for Thanksgiving.  My life up to that point gave me little to be truly thankful for. This year was different.  Who would have even known that just a few little words could change everything?

 

I drove to AJ’s that afternoon for the first time really thankful on Thanksgiving.  For so many years there was always something restricting my happiness.  My childhood, battles with alcohol, deaths of ex-lovers, and tension with my best friend.  This year though, that was all behind me.  I pulled up in AJ’s drive way and moments later he met me at his door. 

 

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me before he took my bag.  He leaned down to pet Jingo and escorted us into the house.  I looked around and spotted the table set with crystal, silver, candles and flowers.  I could hear music softly playing and I knew that it was Bocelli. 

 

“Dinner should be ready soon,” AJ said.  “I hope you weren’t expecting turkey.”

 

“I’m sure whatever you cooked will be delicious.” 

 

“Let me get the appetizers,” he said excusing himself into the kitchen as I sat down.  Moments later he returned with a plate of bacon wrapped scallops.

 

“Oh, these look delicious,” I said as AJ sat next to me. 

 

We sat for a while talking about all sorts of different things as we enjoyed the appetizers.  AJ soon had to get up and get the timer that was going off in the kitchen.  After refusing my help, I picked up a new gardening catalogue that was on the coffee table.   After a few trips, AJ called me over to the table and held my chair out for me.  He slipped into the kitchen again and returned with our plates. 

 

“Filet mignon?  AJ, this looks incredible,” I commented.  We ate dinner talking about the things that we were thankful for this year but waiting to mention ‘us’.  Soon after dinner, deciding to hold off on dessert, AJ cleared off the table, as I let Jingo outside.  I walked out on the porch to keep an eye on the dog and enjoying the beautiful crisp night that fell as we ate dinner. 

 

AJ joined me a short while later and wrapping his arms around me from behind he said, “There is one thing I’m thankful for that I haven’t mentioned yet and that is you.”

 

“I feel the same way.  This has been the first Thanksgiving that I’ve really been so thankful.  That’s mostly because of you.”  I turned in his arms and kissed him.  AJ brushed my hair from my cheek with one hand and pulled me closer with the other one.  I knew that this was heading into the bedroom so I wasn’t too surprised when AJ began leading me back into the house.  He walked to the door, called for Jingo, then once inside he swept me up into his arms. 

 

He gently laid me on the bed and proceeded to remind me even more of another reason to be so thankful.  He loved me in an exquisitely tender way that made me moan his name in delight. 

 

“I love when you say my name like that,” he whispered.

 

I looked into his eyes, lightly touched his cheek, and whispered his name.  We both climaxed with each other’s names on our lips.  AJ rolled over and pulled me into his arms and sleep soon over took us.  Just before I feel asleep, I heard AJ whisper.

 

“I love you, Sarah.”