23. Her Thanksgiving
23
HER THANKSGIVING
CHELSEA
The only thing I remembered about November, after Rex’s fake proposal, was working night and day nonstop between the deli and the TV station. Who knew filming segments would be grueling? There were recipes to select, shop for, and try. Blocking on set and script writing, and coaching for how to present myself on camera. Wardrobe, makeup, and a dozen other things that needed my time and attention.
I took extra care to include homey touches or bits of history. Like how one of my ancestors created this recipe, or how many generations of my family had been cooking another recipe. Fans wrote in sharing theirs, and eventually we started featuring a few.
So much was involved in doing one five-minute segment per show, but oh, it proved more fun than I had anticipated. I fell in love with the temporary job.
Apparently, the station’s upper management, and viewers loved it, too. By the second week of my appearances, ratings of the Morning City Show had doubled, and they asked me to appear every day, Monday through Friday, making it more like a full-time temporary job.
Being busy suited me fine, because it meant I didn’t have extra time to think about Rex. I promoted Annie to watch over the deli when I wasn’t there. I didn’t want to be there as often to take the chance of running into the man who broke my heart. But there was still an empty hole there where Rex used to be, and something felt off balance in my life because of it.
The day before Thanksgiving, during the last show for the week, I completed an extra long live segment, all about fixing the traditional turkey dinner with all the side dishes. I managed to pull it off without a hitch.
At the end of my segment, before the commercial break, the hosts and weather person crowded into my stage kitchen. We hadn’t blocked this out in advance, so they took me by surprise.
Nancy Bauer, long-time hostess and anchor, talked first, her blue eyes and blonde hair perfection as she spoke into the camera. “Chelsea, you have been so fun to have on the set with us. Of course, we have an entire month with you still ahead where you’ll showcase all new recipes for everything from Christmas cookies to pies, and even what to do with leftover ham.”
Raul James, the other main anchor of the show, exclaimed, “Yes, and my stomach is thankful for getting to taste test everything right here every day in December.” Everyone laughed.
“But today, we have a special announcement that we think you’ll be extra thankful for, Chelsea,” Nancy shared. “Drumroll please.”
“We have Julia Mason from the Tourism Board of New York City on hand with us today to present you with something,” Raul announced.
“I’m so excited to be here today to announce that Sun-Up Deli has won the Best Deli Sandwich of New York City Contest. Congratulations,” Julia shook my hand, and camera flashes went off.
I stopped breathing, not believing this was happening to me. They’d have to call an EMT to jump start my heart soon. It was all too surreal and exciting. Confetti fell from the ceiling, hands clapped all around me, and horns blared as if it was some regal announcement. Julia handed me a golden trophy cup with Sun-Up Deli etched on it.
“Oh, my goodness. Thank you so, so much. This means the world to me,” I gushed, and, finally, couldn’t be prouder of my time here in New York City.
Raul closed the segment by saying, “Looks like you’ll have something to be extra thankful for around your Thanksgiving dinner table at home this year. And now, a word from our sponsors.”
“And cut,” Stanley shouted, signaling the segment was over and we were on commercial break. After everyone congratulated me again, the production assistants got to work cleaning up and clearing the set, and Julia made an appointment with me and her marketing team to do a photo shoot and mini-press tour the following week.
The whole day left me exhausted in a very good way, but one thing stuck with me. Being thankful for tomorrow at home, in Holly Creek, with my family. Maisy and I were driving home tonight, and Sophie was coming with us as well, and we wanted to get an early start. I couldn’t wait to hug Mom and Colt.
Stanley approached me as I tucked the huge trophy cup into my bag and prepared to leave. “Beautiful job today, Chelsea. Really outstanding work.”
“Thank you so much. And if I haven’t said it before, sincerely, thank you for hiring me,” I gushed. I truly believed this show helped mend a little of my broken heart.
“Actually, we should thank Rex. He’s the one who recommended you for the job. Ooh, wait.” He hissed. “I think he said not to tell you that. But, hey. You’re here, we love you and the job you’re doing, and we think, because of you, our ratings are the highest ever. So as far as I’m concerned, I’d give Rex a gold medal.” He laughed and clapped his hands.
“Oh. Sure.” I hadn’t realized the role Rex played in all of this. Learning this now, how did I feel about it?
“Listen, we’d like to talk about extending your contract.”
Right when I believed this could have been the best day ever, it gets better. “You mean…”
“Beyond Christmas, into the New Year. We’ll be reaching out to your agent to set up a time to work out details. But we’re thinking at least 3 times per week and then perhaps some longer standalone specials six times per year around various holidays, or even traveling to different places in the region and exploring foods there. What’s your initial reaction to that?” He grinned.
“You mean like a full half hour? Just me? I’d say yes. Amazing.” This whole situation became better than anything I’d ever dreamed of before.
“Excellent. By the way, I told a friend in the publishing industry about you, and he’s keeping his eye on you. So, just putting this out there, that you might want to start thinking about recipe and entertainment books.” His arms spread open wider and wider. “Then, of course, that could lead to branding your own line of kitchen utensils, then cookery, and dishes?—”
“Whew. Stop. You’re making me dizzy. It all sounds amazing, but one step at a time, please. I’m just now getting my feet wet in television. Give me some time before I branch out into books and beyond,” I laughed.
He stepped closer, crossed one arm on his chest, and pointed at me with the other hand. “Chelsea, I’ve been in business a long, long time. There’s something you need to understand. Someone like you only comes along once in a blue moon. You have star quality, and I don’t mean like a diva. I mean a person who can connect with people, reaching across the TV screen and drawing people in. Your ride to the top will be incredible, but it will be fast. I’d bet Chelsea Calhoun becomes a household name in one year.”
“Stop. You’re making me cry.” I couldn’t help but hug him. “Thank you, Stanley, for everything. ”
“You’re very welcome. Go on and enjoy your holiday, and I’ll see you next week.”
Later, on the drive back to Holly Springs, Maisy and Sophie started calling me Star. I told them to stop. I certainly didn’t have time to get a big head about this. In fact, I planned most of the weekend to pour through Mom’s recipe boxes to create the perfect menus I’d be featuring all month in December. Mom already told me she couldn’t wait to go through and share more stories about each recipe with me.
The girls quieted down at one point on the drive when we still had a little ways to go. With nothing but time to think as I drove, my thoughts soon turned to what Stanley had said about Rex referring me to him for the job. If this was heading to a new career for me, then I guess I owed him some thanks if I ever saw him again.
If only Rex would have played it all differently, asked me because he truly wanted me to be his wife, not just wanted me to be part of his building plans…
If he didn’t try to buy my answer to the question, marry me? What would have happened with us then?
So many mistakes made on the way to what I believed could have eventually been true love. Problems too big to overcome now.
As if it were just yesterday that I took off his ring and walked away, my heart panged for him. To everyone else, he certainly embodied an egotistical billionaire, but for a brief moment, we shared something good and I saw right through his facade to the man underneath. He was mine, but it ended so stupidly, all too soon, and perhaps that was why I still longed for him, wondering if we could have been great together.
About ten miles from home, a call came in from Colt. I clicked to answer hands-free and had him on speaker. “Hi. I suppose Mom asked you to call and check on us. We’re almost there.”
“Good, but that’s not why I called,” he said. “Listen, let’s keep the news about me going into the Navy a secret for now.”
“What this?” Maisy’s eyes almost fell out of her sockets.
“Oh. I figured Chelsea would tell you,” he said.
“Um. No, I didn’t say a word. You told me not to, and that you’d be telling everyone together at Thanksgiving,” I reminded him.
“Shit. You’re right. But you know, we’re all going to be together for the first time since you moved away. I don’t want my news to ruin Mom’s Thanksgiving.”
I snorted, shaking my head, because this was so typical of him. On the other hand, he was right. This news could break her heart and have her crying all weekend. “Colt, do you need me to break the news to Mom gently for you?”
“No, not at all. I’ll tell her, just not this weekend. She’s been so excited to have all three of us under one roof for dinner.”
“Three? Uh, Maisy? Did you forget to tell Mom that Sophie was coming home with us?” I tossed her a stern glance. She shrunk in her seat.
“Oh. Yeah, sorry. I’ve just been so busy writing papers for school and then with Brooks?— ”
“Okay, wait. Who the hell is Brooks, and is Sophie in the car with you?” Colt asked.
“Hi. I’m here.” Sophie waved at the phone and laughed.
“Dang. Nice voice. What do you look like?”
“Colt!” I clicked off the call. In my rearview mirror, Sophie chuckled, but I warned. “He’s too young for you.”
Maisy guffawed. “Come on. There’s only a two-year difference between them.”
“Relax, sisters. I won’t defile your little brother. I swear.” Sophie winked at me. Oh, brother.
All warnings aside, my heart surged entering Holly Creek. Passing down Main Street, the family stores and eateries called forth so many memories. Of course, there was Flora’s Diner, in its own brick building, standing so sturdily against time, never changing, and always welcoming with windows decorated for each holiday; right now, it featured fall leaves of all colors and shapes outlining the window frames.
Pulling into the driveway of our old farmhouse, just outside of town, there was Mom, waiting for us. When we hugged, I finally felt home again.