Nan Rossiter - The Gin and Chowder Club

The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas were a blur of studying and exams. Asa’s grades had plummeted with his mood, and he knew he needed to do well on his finals. His parents would expect no less. He tried to focus and continually reminded himself that it would be only a few weeks before he saw Noelle again…

He looked forward to being home. At the same time, though, he dreaded that first time he would push open the door and find no wagging tail to greet him, no sloppy kisses to welcome him. The day finally came, and just as he expected, the house full of people seemed strangely empty. At every turn, Asa expected to see his old pal curled up cozily near the wood stove or nosing around the dinner table looking for treats. Instead, he felt her loss with renewed keenness.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, Asa and Isaac helped load the back of the Nomad with pies, Christmas cookies, suitcases, and all the essentials for several days on the Cape. The trunk was almost full when Sarah pointed to a mountain of elegantly wrapped gifts stacked on the dining room table.

“Mom,” Isaac protested, “those are not going to fit.”

“Yes, they are,” she replied. “And if they don’t, we’ll just have to put them on your seat and you can stay home,” she replied.

Asa held one box up to his ear, looked at the label, and, with a grin, gave it a shake.

“None of that!” she scolded.

The boys sighed and carried part of the pile out to the car. Asa started to take everything out of the trunk for rearranging as Isaac headed back inside for more boxes. It took the better part of an hour, but they finally managed to fit all of the gifts in the trunk.

Heat rushed out of the oven when Noelle opened the door to baste the turkey again. The whole house was filled with the comforting aroma of sweet potatoes, melting brown sugar, and of course, turkey. She shut the door and looked in the living room. The Christmas tree glittered brightly in the corner, and Nate’s back was turned away as he knelt down in front of the fireplace. She watched him place each piece of wood carefully in the fireplace and began to grow anxious. She was worried about seeing Asa again-and worried about having both Nate and Asa in the same room. She needed to find time to talk to Asa alone; she had so many things to tell him. She looked out the window and silently prayed for the opportunity.

Nate came into the kitchen, dipped a fat shrimp into the cocktail sauce, and popped it into his mouth. “The fire’s going.”

“That’s good,” she answered.

“Anything else I can do?”

She looked around. “Would you like to finish setting the table? They should be here any minute.”

Nate opened the box of silverware, counted out six of each utensil, and carried them into the dining room. He placed silver at each setting and lit the candles. Shaking out the match, he walked into the living room and threw it into the fire. Just as he did, there was a knock at the door, and without waiting for an answer, Samuel pushed it open. With a voice sounding like Santa Claus, he boomed, “Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas to you!” Nate answered, smiling broadly and shaking hands with Samuel and both boys before finally turning to Sarah for a hug. “And how are you, my dear?”

Sarah smiled warmly at him. “Oh, fine. Merry Christmas!”

Nate took their coats, and Noelle came in from the kitchen.

“Merry Christmas!” she said, greeting each one of them with a hug. Asa just stood by the door and watched. She was lovelier than he remembered, and he could not look away. She finally made her way over to him and with her eyes, told him how well she remembered the intimacy they had known. She grabbed his hands and kissed him lightly on the cheek, lingering briefly and murmuring, “Merry Christmas.” She stepped back, and he let go of her hands. He searched her eyes, his whole body aching.

Nate returned from hanging coats and eyed Samuel. “The usual?”

“Sounds good.”

He turned to Sarah.

She smiled. “ My usual, too, please.”

Nate busied himself at the bar, and Isaac elbowed Asa. “What’re you havin’?”

Asa elbowed him back. “Just a beer.”

Isaac joined his parents at the bar, and Asa slipped into the kitchen.

“Need help?”

Noelle smiled warmly at him. “Oh, Asa, it’s so good to see you.” He instantly felt relieved. “How’s school going? Do you like it? I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve seen you.” She paused and studied him. “You look wonderful-thinner, though.”

“You look wonderful too.” He paused. “I’ve missed you.”

Noelle’s heart pounded. “I’ve missed you too-more than you know…” She hesitated. “Asa, I hope we have a chance to talk-” She was interrupted as Isaac pushed open the kitchen door.

He smiled and handed Asa a beer. Glancing around the kitchen, he saw that Noelle didn’t have a drink. “Noelle, can I get something for you?”

Asa hoped she would say yes so that his brother would leave.

“No thanks, Isaac. I’m all set.”

“Okay, well, if there’s anything I can do…”

“Actually, would you like to take out this tray of shrimp cocktail?”

“Sure.” Isaac set down his drink and picked up the tray. “I’ll have to test one first,” he said, winking at his brother. He offered the tray to Asa, who declined, wishing his brother would just hurry up and move on. Isaac pointed to his beer and eyed him. “That’s mine,” he warned, and carried the tray into the living room.

Asa took a sip of his beer and looked at Noelle. She was watching him. “I know what’s going through your mind,” she said with a smile.

“No, you don’t,” he teased, taking another sip.

She picked up a small platter with crisp apples slices around a wedge of cheddar and started to follow Isaac. Asa put his arm up to block her way.

“Do you want some?” she asked softly.

“Do I!” he murmured, leaning forward and softly kissing her neck. He quickly found her lips, and Noelle closed her eyes and felt a warm rush of heat surge through her body. God, why do I always lose control when he is standing in front of me? A sound came from the other side of the door, and she quickly stepped back, feeling her cheeks flush. She studied Asa’s eyes and whispered, “I’m sorry…”

“For what?” he said, bewildered by her apology.

Isaac pushed open the door, and Asa moved away. Isaac reached for his drink and looked at his brother curiously.

“I have these snacks,” Noelle sighed, “but everything else is just about ready.” She paused. “Isaac, would you ask Nate to come carve the turkey?”

Asa quickly interjected, “I can carve the turkey.” Immediately, though, he wanted to kick himself because he realized that, if he had said nothing, his brother would have left again and the moment alone might have been extended.

“Okay,” Noelle said skeptically, handing him the worn wooden case that held the carving utensils. “Be careful, though,” she warned, eyeing him. “It’s very sharp.”

Just then, Sarah came into the kitchen, too, followed by Nate and Samuel.

“How can I help?” Sarah asked.

Noelle smiled and opened the oven door. Nate stepped in and, sliding two oven mitts onto his hands, pulled the tremendous roasting pan out and set it down on the stove top. Everyone oohed and aahed over its contents, and Noelle pointed to a stack of ceramic hot plates and asked Isaac if he would please put them on the table. Then, as Nate carefully lifted the golden brown bird onto the cutting board, Noelle started to mix flour and water for gravy. Not knowing that Asa had offered to carve the turkey, Nate reached for the utensils, and, without a word, Asa relinquished them. He watched his father open a second bottle of chardonnay; he watched his mother open the oven and begin to take out hot bowls of sweet potatoes, stuffing, and string beans; he watched Isaac find another pair of pot holders and begin to help carry the dishes to the dining room. Everyone laughed and chatted busily-except Asa, who just stood there and felt oddly out of place. He looked around at the kitchen full of people and felt very much alone.