Ginny Gold - Early Bird Café 05 - Smashed Potatoes and Gravy by Ginny Gold Page A

gluten free or vegetarian. Everyone’d had to place their order a week ago so she knew how much to cook of everything. “Help me get these plates ready,” Kori instructed Zach and he took his place next to her, filling plates beyond their capacity in the true indulgence of Thanksgiving.
    When they were finished, Kori explained the different colored stickers on the place cards. “The red ones are for regular, green is for vegetarian and yellow is for gluten free. You know which plates are which?”
    Zach scanned the kitchen. There were three areas with plates, separated by what type of meal they were. “I think I can figure it out.”
    “Great. Then start serving.”
    Kori balanced a plate in her left elbow and then picked up two more, bringing them to the first table. Mel, Jackie and Vera were sitting together and they’d all be eating regular turkey dinners.
    “This looks fantastic,” Vera said when she received the first plate. Mel and Jackie readily agreed.
    “Thanks for putting this on,” Mel said. “Ever since Jackie’s dad left, it’s just been the two of us and it’s fun to feel like we’re having a big family meal.”
    Jackie nodded in agreement, a smile plastering her face.
    “It’s my pleasure,” Kori said. And she meant it. She loved cooking for people any day of the week, but especially on holidays. “Enjoy.”
    Kori headed back into the kitchen to grab more plates and almost ran into Zach coming out with two of his own. “Slow down there,” he said, avoiding her without dropping either of them.
    Kori next served her mom, Lucas and Jay, who had arrived since she’d last talked to Gale. Jay looked uncomfortable but Kori didn’t let herself take the time to get sucked in to the awkwardness that was surely surrounding that table. She consciously ignored Jay’s pleading eyes. He probably wanted to offer to help in the kitchen but didn’t want to seem rude to Lucas.
    Once everyone in the café was eating, Kori made the rounds with refills of drinks and then sat down with her family, Zach joining her as well. She thought she heard Jay sigh but couldn’t be sure.
    “So Lucas, my mom tells me that you two reconnected in August in Italy at an art retreat. You’re an artist?” Kori asked, hoping to break the ice into a safer topic of conversation than when she’d first met him.
    He chewed his turkey and swallowed before answering, making a show of trying to be quick. “No. Your mom is actually the one who invited me.”
    Kori’s eyes grew large. “Mom? I didn’t know you painted.”
    Gale shrugged. “It’s something I’ve taken up recently.”
    Kori wondered how recently. Maybe it was just an excuse to go to Italy with Lucas.
    “But if you and Zach are looking for a vacation, I would highly recommend it,” Lucas said.
    “We’ll see. We’ve talked a little about it, but with our work schedules being the way they are, we haven’t found the time,” Zach answered.
    “You have to make the time,” Gale protested. “You’re not getting any younger …”
    Kori blushed. She wasn’t sure if her mom was hinting that she wanted grandkids and Kori’s biological clock might be ticking down the last good years, or if she was feeling her own age and projecting it on to Kori.
    “Maybe after the new year,” Kori said, hoping to find a balance.
    Kori looked around the room and was so filled with a sense of community that her eyes nearly welled up. Everyone in the café was a close friend or family, and she had another twenty people coming in at three o’clock for a second meal. She felt so lucky to live in a place where she was so loved, and where she had such a strong network of friends.
    She noticed that glasses were once again emptying, and plates were suddenly being cleared of food, so she excused herself and Zach and they made the rounds. Zach continued clearing tables while Kori cut the pies and placed them on dessert plates. Then they both brought them out to each person, whose