Thanksgiving

Gregory plucked a large strawberry from the table, threw it into the air, and caught it between his teeth. He bit down and the leafy top fell onto the polished wood. The remainder of the giant red morsel disappeared into his large mouth. He chewed thoroughly and swallowed.

"Delicious. Who prepared this?"

"Sir, you did."

"Ah. No wonder. Thank you, Mr. Southworth."

Mr. Southworth bristled at Gregory's arrogance and returned to his quarters.

Gregory walked along the ensemble picking bits of cheese and smoked salmon. They were all his favorites, somehow arranged in the order he preferred. "Yesterday was a bit of a blur...the previous week," he thought, pouring some orange glaze over a piece of duck meat, the CSI theme song was playing in his head. He tried to remember the band...there was something about some drummer. He realized the 70s were as much a blur to him as the day before...

"Ding."

He turned toward the door. They were here. He didn't quite know who they were, but knew it would be terrifying as always, if there had been an always, or even a before. He heard the door open. Mr. Southworth greeted them and chatter began penetrating his sore ears from two rooms away...

"Damn, it's cold out there. Where's that global warming when you need it?"

"Haha."

He shuddered, searching for the most delectable item before they found him. There it was...on top, as if he had placed it there himself, as he maybe did. "Mmm. Deviled egg." The tender white bowl, the decadent yellow filling, the pimento...a trio of pure bliss. It would be stolen for sure. He lifted it to his mouth and devoured it mightely as they walked in.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Gregory! What's new?"

"Well, I think I cooked all of this, but I can't remember for sure."

"Ha! Always the jokester. Well, let me tell you about my portfolio...man, these are tough times, ya know...lost thousands just this morning."

They all meandered around the table and finally sat down, making various comments about the spread.

Gregory stood and clinked his champagne glass. "Welcome, my dear friends and family. I'm so glad you could make it today. I've been busy of late, experimenting a bit as you can see. James, you may guess who the cherry Porsche confections are for. Lin, I've shrunk down that nut cracker just for you. Enjoy the meal everyone! Cheers."

He sat down and looked for that damned deviled egg. He shouldn't have placed it in such an obvious place. He knew someone would steal it.