Thanksgiving Morning, and Samantha and Nellie were hard at work in the kitchen, getting a day’s-worth of cooking underway. Julia came into the kitchen, in the company of her cousin, Melissa.
“Happy Thanksgiving, girls,” said Julia, “You remember my cousin, Melissa, from Fridley, Minnesota?”
“Ah, yes,” said Nellie, “The fair-haired flirt!”
“Nellie!” Samantha scolded, “That’s not a nice thing to say!”
Melissa laughed. “Not to worry, Samantha. That is a soubriquet I am proud to own.”
“Melissa will be joining us for Thanksgiving.” Julia went on. “She was visiting boring relatives in New York City and took the train up here to have a livelier time with us.”
“There will be plenty of room for another place setting,” said Samantha, “and there’s more than enough food.”
“But I should be helping you,” said Melissa, “What needs doing? Dicing carrots? Shelling peas?”
“You’re a guest,” Nellie responded, “and you don’t need to do anything but be fed and entertained.”
“I feel I ought to do something for my brown bread and butter,” said Melissa, “But I don’t want to get in the way.”
Nellie smiled, “It’s a big kitchen, and there’s room for us all. If you’d really like to help, how are your pie-making skills?”
Melissa laughed again. “Why, pumpkin pie is my specialty! No Thanksgiving table is complete without one!”
She set to work at once.
“Ask anyone in Fridley, Minnesota, and they’ll tell you, Melissa Gotz’s pumpkin pies are the absolute best!”
