THANKSGIVING LIT from Norma L. Jarrett (AKA Brunch Lady)!
Every wonder what your family is really thinking while they're are sitting around the Thanksgiving table? Please enjoy an excerpt from my Essence national book club selection and classic novel Sweet Magnolia, a New Orleans family saga about two bitterly divided sisters; bride to be Summer and Misa an international model. A sudden tragedy and family owned business are the key to their emotional, physical and spiritual healing. Sweet Magnolia is like a family quilt held together with the fabric of generations, welcome and worn in all the right places. So here it is and excerpt from the chapter...
FRIED TURKEY
So
far, so good, only the sound of forks scraping plates and an occasional belch.
But then again, it’s only been fifteen minutes into the meal, Summer thought.
Everyone was gathered around the table. There wasn’t any room for another plate with
the spread of golden Cajun fried turkey, candied yams, biscuits, corn pudding,
ham, mashed potatoes, collard greens, string beans, macaroni and cheese, corn,
stuffing and cranberry sauce.
“So
Misa, what brought you to Houston?
We thought we'd never see you in this part of the country?” Aunt Gerty said
reaching for the gravy.
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“Well,
I just decided I was tired of New
York. It was time for a change.”
“Oh
really? I could’ve sworn Summer told me you moved here because of some man,”
Her Aunt Gerty said without looking up from her plate.
Lights, Camera, Action ... the holiday drama
has begun. Summer inhaled. Quinton shifted in his chair. Paige cleared her
throat and grabbed another roll and Van's eyes peered sideways at Misa.
“Oh
did she really?” Misa sneered. “Well, for everyone's information, that was not
the case. I moved to Houston
because I wanted to. I have men falling at my feet all over the world. Do you
think I would let some man I barely knew talk me into moving across the
country? I think not. Misa runs Misa's life. This is exactly why I wanted to stay on the East
Coast. Too much family, all up in my business.” She glared at her sister.
Summer
just sat there without comment. The triggered had been pulled. Just about
anything she said would catapult them into a full-scale confrontation.
Normally, it would have been a private war of words. But there were other
potential casualties sitting around the table. So she decided to withdraw from
retaliation.
Silence.
Summer
tried to figure out what everyone was thinking as she scanned the faces around
the room. She looked directly across the table. Poor Quinton, how uncomfortable
this must be for him.
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Quinton
poured gravy over his turkey. I can't
believe Evan didn't tell me that this dude was going to be here. She knows good
and dang well I was the one who got her to move to Houston. If you mess with fire, you get
burnt.
Paige
slowly savored her macaroni and cheese. Quinton
should have hooked up with me and he wouldn't be going through this. He needs
some meat with his potatoes. What
could he possibly do with that skinny thing?
Evan
inhaled his favorite sweet potatoes. I
wonder what time the game comes on tomorrow?
Her
Aunt Gerty had just shoved a spoonful of greens in her mouth. I wonder what these collards are seasoned
with, ham hocks or fat back?
Her
Uncle Groovy stared at the ceiling. How
could I have gotten lost again? Was it right on Mason or left at Barker Cypress?
Her
father spooned more mashed potatoes on his plate. Why did my wife leave me here all by myself? Did Misa say she was
living with Stan, Van ... oh, whatever his name is?
(c) 2006 Norma L. Jarrett
The book trailer!
Norma L. Jarrett is a bestselling author of several novels. Her work has gained attention in Essence, Ebony, USA Today, Southern Living and others. Learn more about her work at www.normajarrett.net. Follow her on twitter @jarrettwrites7
