TDBB16

Tear drops on my balance beam chapter 16

-Thanksgiving-

"Come on, Manitoba!! We're going to be late!" Svetlana called in a rather irritating voice. She crosse her arms and tapped her foot.

"Why are you rushing? We're only going to my house for thanksgiving, not a banquet!"

"I want to  present myself, you know that!" The girl exclaims as she puts a pink sweater and scarf over her white tank top.

Manitoba rolled his eyes and sighed."Fine, let's go."

Manitoba was at least nice enough to invite Svetlana over to his home for this cool Holiday. Thanksgiving was a big thing in his house. All of the food and the whole "family being together" was the whole point of it. Since Svetlana only had her mother to celebrate with, she was always up for a feast with tons of people to talk to.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?" She said as they rode to the Australlian's house. "What if we hit traffic? Or maybe get in an accident?! What if-?"

"Svet, Cool it!"Manitoba scolded from behind the wheel. "Everything will be fine! We'll get to my house and get to that feast you want so badly!"

"Sorry." The gymnast feebly smiled. "It's just that..Thanksgiving wasn't really as big when I was little than it is now. I just felt a little left out.."

The australlian softened up and gave her a smile back. "Don't worry. We'll get there! You're my best friend, Sheila. You're family and always welcome!"

Svetlana just giggled with happiness and enjoyed the ride to Manitoba's house. It only took a good 45 minutes, considering there wasn't any traffic.
They pulled up to a large, caramel colored house with a brown roof and a glorious porch. The friends walk up the steps and ring the doorbell.
A tall, brown skinned women with jet black hair, and blue eyes opens the door. An apron was strapped to her and a bowl was set in her hands.

"Manitoba! Sweet heart!" The women said soothingly. "I missed you so much!"

She gave Mani a kiss on the cheek and glanced at Svetlana.

"And who is this?"

"Mum, this is Svetlana! We met at Red Valley." The male said.

"Hello Mrs.Smith!" Svetlana respectfully greeted. "It's so nice to meet you."

"As to you, my dear! And please, Call me Andrea." The older women pulls the girl into a hug and gives her a kiss on the cheek. "Come in! Come in! I don't want the happy couple getting cold!"

Happy couple? The two young adults were confused for a moment, but paced inside to avoid getting colder than they already were. As Svetlana removed her shoes at the front door, she caught up with her friend.

"Your mother is very hospitable!" She commented as they walked into the kitchen. "-And very sweet!"

"Believe me, my mum is more than that! She'll give you a kidney in a heart beat..." Manitoba replied.

The two  easily make their way into the large kitchen to see Andrea standing at the sink, Derek reading a newspaper, ad Vito stealing bits of food from the mother's bowl.

"Manitoba, my son! How are you?" Derek greeted his son with kindness and gave him a pat on the back. "Who is this young lady?"

"Hey Pa. This is Svetlana, I met the sheila at Red valley a few months back!"

The father held a warm smile on his face and shook the girl's hand. 
"A pleasure to meet you, Svetlana! I see my son has pulled in a real beauty!"

"Thank you, Mr.Smith!" Svetlana said.

"No need for that! Call me Derek! You're practically family now!"

Svetlana was more than right. Manitoba's family was very nice and hospitable. It's as if anyone who walks through the for can be named as family. The young female wasn't actually used to all this kindness. She was used to spending time with her mom when she was little. Wether it was feeding the poor or avoiding another riot.

20 minutes passed by and more of Manitoba's family poured into the house. Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces, and Nephews. Anyone in a family you could think of was there.
Audrey was one of the last to arrive with her husband, 7 of her children (including Effie who was learning how to walk) and a largely swollen stomach. Giving everyone the news that she was pregnant (again).


  While the two mingled with family, Penelope silently made her way into the house. Manitoba was also nice enough to let Svetlana's mother come and share the love.

"Mother!" Svetlana shrieked happily as she gave her mother a hug.

"Hello, Sugar cube!" Penelope replies. "My, this is a big place isn't it?"

"Tell me about it, now let's get ready to eat."

The dining room in the house was more than enough for that family. There was a section of the house just for that type of occasion. It just had a long table that stretched a good 20 feet. The children loudly took their seats all the way at the end, while the adults sat near the front.

Derek sat at the head of the table. While Svetlana sat next to Manitoba, his mother, and Penelope. Everyone was chatting until Derek clicked a glass.

"Let us pray." Each member bows their head, their eyes, and hold hands with the person next to them. "Dear lord, we Thank you for bringing us here today. For putting our family together for such a joyous occasion. We all give our thanks to you and all that you've done for us. Especially for this feast..and my wife's stuffing.."

The family laughs, but keeps their eyes closed.

"..We thank you for family, hospitality, and love. Bless this meal and the hands that labored to make it. In jesus's name.."

Amen.

After that heartwarming prayer that nearly brought tears to Svetlana's eyes, the family dove into the food. Hands were grabbing plates and serving dishes to other people. Mothers were scolding their children for getting too much or too little, while some adults were chatting away.

As Svetlana ate happily next to her roomate, she just had to get something off her chest. "Your family is really big." She said plainly.

"You should see the family reunion." Manitoba replied to the girl.

After 5 minutes of eating, Derek raised his glass and cleared his throat.
"I would like to propose a toast..." He started. "To Manitoba and Svetlana! May their relationship reach far..and we should all be prepared for another get together.For a wedding! Or even plan for a new memeber in the Smith family!"

The Smith's chuckle and lift there glasses.

"To Manioba and Svetlana!" they say and take their drinks.

 Everyone else was enjoying their food while Manitoba and Svetlana just sat there. Glancing akwardly at eachother as if one had a disease. 

"So, they think we're.." Manitoba was going to say something smart, but Svetlana cut him off.

"Dont talk about it." She muttered and continued eating her turkey.

After eating the dinner to to the point of bursting, the Smith's
Finally had dessert. Which was full of cookies, ice-cream, pies, and australlian desserts that Svetlana hasn't even heard of.

Her favorite was the Macadamia Tarts. Which were sweet, nutty, and tasted wonderful with vanilla ice cream.

  After the meal was completely done, people had went in separate directions. Some men were watching football and screaming at the screen. Women (such as Svetlana's mother) were sipping tea and talking about life. Even the children were playing on the floor inside, or on the leaves outside.

As Svetlana volunteered with the dishes, she noticed Manitoba playing foot ball with his older cousins. He was running, jumping, and having a good time with a big smile on his face. As the girl scrubbed a pan, she noticed that Manitoba took his shirt off. His chest looked just like Vito's. Toned, buff, so tanned, and a six pack that lead Down to the "V" that ended with his jeans. 

Svetlana wanted to look away so badly, but she couldn't. She looked at a half naked Manitoba continue to play football.

"Svetlana?"

The female jumped, and turned to see her mother smirking at her.
"Oh, hello mother. I didn't see you walk in."

"I saw that." Penelope chuckled.

"Saw what?"

"You were staring at the boy, again."

Svetlana's face went red. She continued to wash the same pan she had a few moments ago. "What? Pft, I wasn't staring at him!"

"I know that look, Honey comb!" the mother said as he approached her daughter and glanced outside as well. "That's the Love-eye stare! I had it when I first saw your father. It makes you feel warm inside and like you're floating on clouds."

"Don't be ridiculous mother! I wasn't looking at him like that!"

"You're calling me ridiculous? Honey, that pot you've been washin' ain't gonna get any cleaner! Maybe you should go and talk to him more!"

"But mother.." The girl sighed. "I don't have a thing for Manitoba! Besides, I don't need any man sweeping me off my feet and taking me into my happily ever after!" Svetlana dried a dish and placed it on the counter. "I'm going to grant my own wishes, and make my own dreams come true. I will become a famous gymnast!"

Penelope smiled at her daughter and rubbed her frail hands.

"-And when that time comes, you'll be living paradise! You'll wear a fancy dress and hat every day, and
won't have to cater any event ever again."

"well, there is one last thing I want to cater.." The mother put a few bowls down and slung a rag on her shoulder. "Your wedding! And four baby showers, too!" [1]

"Oh, mother!" Svetlana giggled and playfully swat at her  mother with a rag.

Maybe Svetlana did have feelings for Manitoba. Feelings that she couldn't even explain...Well, she didn't know. Know all she could do is enjoy this turkey day with her family.

-----
Finishesd! Ha! Finally! I know it's a little early to talk about Thanksgiving, but I just wanted to give you fans something for being so patient!
I just wanted to explain something about Svetlana's talk with Penelope.

[1]You all have seen the new movie "The princess and the frog" right? Well this movie reminds me exactly of Svetlana an Manitoba's friendship and relationship! I even through in Dakota as a Charlotte, and Vito as a ray..Getting off topic..anyway, in the DVD, you can see deleted scenes and out takes. I saw one called "Advice from Mama" where tiana talks to her mother and getting a man and all that jazz.
So added I that in here! Svetlana is always talkling to her mother about things, but not this big! In the deleted scene, Eudora (Tianas mother) says that she will make clothes for Tianas wedding and maybe a few babies..Of course, Penelope is sweet to cater the wedding and a babyshower! Anyway, I just wanted to say that I dont own these statements, or the princess and the frog.. I know I may be boring you, but I just wanted to say that! I love references! And You know what to do!
  Amber, out!