Kitchen of Wynorrific

Thanksgiving at the Greenfield household was always a mess. It’s something that I’ve dealt with since I was ten. Mom would be slaving away at the turkey and other things. While dad would be setting the table. Cleaning the living room and barking at me to take care of our large dogs.

Both boys were sweet but difficult.

I was the only child in that household. And until the guests arrived all I would be hearing is ‘HAZEL! GET DOWN HERE AND HELP YOUR MOTHER!!’ or ‘HAZEL! PUT THE DAMN DOGS IN THE GARAGE!’. When it was all over, I would have to help my mother with Black Friday stuff. Which was within itself a Hell on earth that I wouldn’t wish upon even my worst enemies. I’ve seen people trampled over small things that normally wouldn’t matter on any given day. Like waffle makers and crap like that. After I turned sixteen, mom stopped forcing me to come with her. Especially when I screamed at her that I would rather be set on fire than do that.

Dad lectured me on not spending time with her. And for the rest of that Thanksgiving break I was grounded. In fact, I was pretty much confided in my room. Not that I minded all that much. My family was and aren’t people that I like to spend time with. Most of them were people that preferred to make my life Hell. When I was a girl, that is. Now I’m a trans man and I’m thirty-five. Live five states away. None of my extended family members know where I live.

It’s been a dream come true.

I’ve also started living with a sweet fella. Edric Donovon. We’ve been roommates for around three years now. So far, he’s really helped me move past my issues with my parents. Helping me realize my potential as a person. We’ve worked together in his deli a year after I moved into his apartment. It has been so helpful. And I’ve been able to pay for the things that I need. As he doesn’t want me to pay the rent. Just the utilities and other such bills. Edric says he can afford the place without me paying for the rent. All he really needs is my help in the deli and my company. I’m not unhappy with that but it has been a little awkward to explain to dates. Well to dates that I have been trying to have for the past year or so. After the first date they just ghost me.

I doubt it’s because of my roommate doing anything. Edric is always so sweet and leaves before my date arrives. Even offering food for my date’s meals. But they always end up ghosting me after they find out that I’m trans. To be fair to them, I should have mentioned it much sooner. Though when I do mention it sooner, they stop talking to me. Or they start speaking to me in a creepy way. A rather fetishy kind of way. Don’t think I need to particularly get into detail about that.

I’ve decided to swear off dating after the last date ghosted me. Our date had gone so well in my perspective. We’d gone to a beautiful restaurant that serves authentic Italian. Though I can’t remember the name right now. All I can remember is that we were having fun. Talking about our jobs. He was a nurse. A cute nurse named Hunter O’Neil. Cute, sweet, funny as Hell. We hadn’t made any plans just yet. But I sent him a text on possibly going to the movies next week. Hunter read the text but hadn’t responded. This was two weeks ago. So, I have decided to just focus on my work. It’s going to be busy with everyone buying turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving. Edric said he was going to make us something very special this year. Last year his turkey was one of the best things ever. He hadn’t let me help with that part of dinner.

I made mashed potatoes, pies, and green bean casserole.

This year I’m going to do some of the same stuff. Especially the pumpkin pies that Edric really enjoyed. I’ve gotten all the ingredients together. The pies I’m going to make the night before. That way they’re going to be perfect before tomorrow.

While I worked on them, Edric popped into the kitchen with several bags. More than enough food for two people. Raising an eyebrow, I looked down at them. Then I asked,”Hey, Ed?”

“Yes, Azrael?”,he questioned. Quickly setting the supplies on the table. Smiling as he looked me in the eyes. Soon as he set everything out, I wondered if I had missed a note he had left. We normally communicated through sticky notes like Double D from ‘Ed, Edd’n’Eddy’ did. Pointing to the food on the table, I continued,”Are we having guests this year? I don’t remember seeing a note about this.”

“Oh, yes. I’m sorry. My sister, Dahlia, is coming to town with her family.”,Edric answered. Getting the rest of the food out to prep for tomorrow. He normally sets out food on the kitchen island if it isn’t perishable. Every year was like this. That way, on the day he can put everything into the oven. Or onto the pots on top of the stove. While he sets everything up, I walked to the fridge. Finding the note and feeling like an idiot for not realizing that sooner. Good thing that I was making three pies. They should be enough for however many people were coming to the dinner. With a sigh, I hurriedly started making them. I sighed,”Geez. I’m sorry. I’m so lame.”

“No, you’re not. You’re just busy, that’s all.”,he soothed. His hands gently rested on my shoulders. Giving them a soft squeeze as he leaned over me slightly. That sweet reassuring smile on his face. It always left me feeling a whole lot better. And I am a lot less upset with myself as well. Smiling back, I stated,”Thanks, Ed. You’re really the best friend that I’ve ever had.”

“Oh, not a problem at all. You’re my best friend too, Azrael.”,he assured. Edric then went back to our Thanksgiving Day prep. While I went back to making several pies. While we were working, Edric told me about his sister. She had a wife named Evelyn and a daughter, Bailey. Along with other things about them. Like how they met after Evelyn had dumped her loser ex-husband. He can’t remember the man’s name but thinks it might be Adam or something like that. From what Edric described of the man, he wasn’t anyone that I would care for. Or anyone would want to care for. If they had any self-esteem that is.

When the last of the pies were made I started cleaning up. Trying not to think about how Hunter had ghosted me. When I pulled out my phone, Edric asked me,”I take it that Hunter hasn’t texted you back?”

“Yeah. Dude’s been leaving me on delivered…”,I trailed off. Pulling my phone out I double checked if he had texted. Thinking that maybe he had a busy week or something. Maybe his phone had been broken. Soon as I unlocked my phone, I felt my hopes drop. There were no new texts. And soon as I tapped on our conversation, I realized that he hadn’t even read them still. Sighing I relocked my phone and put it back into my pocket. Calmly, I start washing the bowls and muttered,”I don’t get it. We had such a great time. And he still hasn’t read my texts. Maybe I was too pushy or needy.”

“Now, Azrael. I think he might just be spending time with his family right now. I mean it is Thanksgiving.”,Edric suggested. Something that was so obvious that I felt idiotic immediately for not thinking about it. Drying off the bowls, I grinned nervously as I glanced over at him. Toying with the dishrag as I nodded my head in agreement. Why didn’t I think of that? God, I could be so damn thoughtless sometimes. Softly, I stated,”Yeah. You’re probably right. I can’t believe that I didn’t think of that myself.”

“Hey, it’s the holidays. Your nerves are scrambled, and my nerves are scrambled.”,he informed me. He put the pots and pans where they needed to be for tomorrow. And sighed as he looked at me. That sweet smile still on his face as he reminded,”Now get to bed. We need all the sleep we can get before our guests arrived.”

“I don’t want you passing out in the stuffing.”,he teased. That made me chuckle a little as I allowed him to hug me. Then I scurried off to do my nightly routine. Getting into my pajamas and brushing my teeth. Making sure that my alarm is set for seven hours from now. Soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep almost instantly.

I had the strangest nightmares that night. All of them about the men who’d ghosted me. Taking turns stabbing me in a large art gallery. No one stopped any of these men or even seemed all that scared. It was the most horrifying nightmare that I had ever had in my entire adult life. When I woke up, I was drenched in sweat. My back was aching from the way I was almost off the bed. Pulling myself into a sitting position I started to rub my lower back. Nearly jumping out of my skin when my alarm. With a groan I quickly turned off my alarm phone and plugged it in. Hurriedly grabbing the nicest clothes that I own before heading to the bathroom.

I quickly shaved and showered. Putting my nice clothes into a cabinet before putting on some ragged ones. I didn’t want my nice clothes to get dirty while I was working on Thanksgiving dinner for Edric’s family members. They didn’t need to think I was some dirty slob.

Nor did I want Edric to be embarrassed by me. Soon as I got into the kitchen, I saw that Edric was working. He pointed to where I needed to be, and we worked our magic to get everything set up. Which thankfully didn’t both of us all that long. Soon as we were done, I freshened up a little. Fixed my hair into something a lot more presentable and redressed myself. Then I allowed Edric to use the bathroom while I set up the table for everyone to eat at. Once that was done, I heard a knock at the door. Taking a deep breath, I headed to the door and opened it. Smiling at the people on the other side.

A tall woman in her forties with honey blond hair. Of which she pulled into a lovely bun at the top of her head. She wore a light red dress with a modest neckline and long sleeves. There was a beautiful heart-shaped locket around her neck. I could see the resemblance between her and Edric. Moving to the side, I allowed her to come in. Along with her lovely family members. Her wife, Evelyn, was as beautiful and tall as she was.

Though her hair was pulled into a French braid. Black ribbon was woven into the braid and matched her velvet black top. It was flowing and made her look sophisticated with its long flowing sleeves. Evelyn wore khaki pants and black pumps. Her makeup was similarly in vibed with her clothes. Black lipstick with dark red eyeshadow. She wore a long string of pearls around her neck.

The daughter, Bailey, was adorable. A teenager, I think, shorter than me and her mothers’. Light blond hair that was pulled into a long ponytail. She wore a light gray turtleneck sweater. With a bright red blazer over it. Matching the bright red pants that she was wearing as well. The girl also wore bright red boots.

Gee, I wonder what her favorite color is.

Ushering them inside, I greeted each of them. Hugging each of them. And being careful not to muss up Bailey’s hair. I had this feeling that she wouldn’t be alright with me doing that. Even if I had meant to do it playfully or not. Soon as we got to the table, Edric was already there. Wearing a similar red outfit to match his sister’s. A dark red suit made me feel a little out of place in my outfit. A simple dark gray sweater with tan dress pants. I had worn small pearl earrings to make it feel a little more dressed up.

Maybe I should have worn red instead of this?

Doing my best to ignore the awkward feelings I helped dish out food to our guests. Only plating myself when I was sure that everyone had what they wanted. And Edric had food as well. Soon as I sat down, Edric gently took my hand. Evelyn took the other and we all bowed our heads. Allowing him to pray for the entire family. When it was over we started eating and talking.

“So, Azrael. How did you meet our Eddie?”,Dahlia questioned. The same smile that Edric had was plastered on her face. Though he seemed to have slipped when she called him by that nickname. It was kind of adorable in my book. I answered,”I met him when I was looking for a job. And an apartment.”

“I guess I was lucky he needed a roommate and an employee.”,I added. Smiling as I looked over at Edric. Who looked a little pleased by my answer. His smile was entirely on his lips, but he had a faint sign of it at the corners. Evelyn agreed,”Oh, quite. It’s very lucky indeed.”

“Do you have any family, Azrael?”,Bailey chimed in. Looking at her, I nodded at her question. My smile slipped a little, but I did my best to keep it on my face. Not wanting to upset her. Setting my fork down, I explained,”Yeah. But we’re not in touch with each other anymore. My folks and I weren’t that close.”

“I’m sorry.”,Bailey muttered. Carefully, I reached over the table and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Smiling at her the best that I could. And I soothed,”It’s okay, kiddo. Don’t worry about it. You didn’t know.”

“So don’t worry so much, okay?”,I asked. She nodded and we all continued eating. Talking about our lives. How things were going with us. Evelyn was the boss of a small close-out store. While Dahlia ran a flower shop with Bailey working on weekends and some Summers there. Other times she helps Evelyn with her store. Both of which are pretty good in my opinion. When we had dinner done, we started in on the pie. Along with coffee. The turkey had been a lot better than I remembered it being.

It tasted different, too. I wasn’t entirely sure what made it taste so different, but I found myself liking it. Even though it tasted gamey.

While I put the leftovers away, I noticed that the bulk of the turkey wasn’t around. That was strange. Normally during the holidays, the bird would still be on the counter. Or on the table where we were eating. Then there was a strange nagging thought I had about the food. It started to rattle around my skull for a bit. While I put the leftovers into their proper containers and then into the fridge. The thought occurred to me when I got the pieces of what was turkey into the fridge. If this was turkey. Then where were the wings or the drumsticks of it?

Why hadn’t he allowed me to touch the damned thing?

Shaking my head to rid myself of those thoughts, I sighed. God I was too damned paranoid for my own good. There was no way that it was anything but turkey. If it wasn’t then what else would it be? Hunter cut up and turned into something similar? Hell, it was probably just a ham and nothing more. Soon as I got into the living room I sat near Bailey. Helping her start Clue with her mothers and Edric.

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Soon as his roommate was asleep, Edric crept down to his shop. Smiling to himself as he walked to the freezer. What was left of the ‘turkey’ they had enjoyed was slumped over in the ropes. Eyes still wide open with fear and acceptance. Kneeling over the large corpse, he muttered,”I don’t like making Azrael sad.”

“But Hunter. You weren’t good enough for another date.”,Edric chided. Touching his victim’s face as he tilted his head to the side. Grasping it tightly as he tilted it upward. In a mocking tone, he stated,”You were definitely good enough for a meal.”

“So, thank you for your sacrifice.”,he laughed. Continuing to laugh as he let go of Hunter’s face. Allowing his head to drop back to his shoulder. Laughing to himself as he went to get his tools. Determined to use the leftovers for sandwiches and their other meals. After all why should he let good meat go to waste?