notes/disclaimers

The Nation's Family
by Gilda Lily




I
FALLEN LEAVES OF AUTUMN

*"Shots were fired at the President's motorcade in Dallas. It is not known how many shots at this time. The President has been wounded and is being taken to Parkland Hospital."


"We are not certain of how serious the wounds are at this time. The President is being treated by the Parkland doctors, as is Governor John Connolly. Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Connolly were quickly escorted into the hospital by the First Lady's Secret Service agent, Rufus Youngblood. Vice President Johnson and his wife have been whisked into the hospital."


"The shots appeared to have been fired from the Texas School Book Depository, and Dallas police are questioning witnesses in Dealey Plaza right now."


"The President has been given the last rites of the Catholic Church."


"President Kennedy is...dead. He died at...one o'clock...Eastern Daylight Time."*


Thanksgiving was always a quiet holiday in the morning. There were no presents from Santa for over-excited children to see and no eggs to be found and deposited in a brightly-colored Easter basket at the end of the backyard hunt. There was the smell of roasting turkey and the occasional quiet footsteps down the hall of a roused sleeper on his or her way to the bathroom.

Ray Vecchio was a happy man. He was stretched out in his bed with his lover blissfully curled up at his side as he slept. Dief was imitating his packmate and dreaming wolfie dreams, though as soon as he awoke he would be down in the kitchen with his eye on the turkey.

Ray watched the golden rays of the early morning streak the sky. A white plume from a high-flying jet crisscrossed the gold, and Ray allowed a feeling of melancholy to pass. He squeezed Benny gently.

"Mmm." Blue eyes fluttered open.

"Sorry, love," Ray whispered and kissed the top of his lover's head. "Didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep."

Benny murmured and obeyed, sliding down into sleep again.

*


Ray smiled as Benny awoke for good this time. It was a half hour later and the Mountie looked thoroughly rested. Dief was yawning and the sun was higher in the sky.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Ray."

"Happy Thanksgiving, Benny." Ray loved to look into those sapphire eyes. "You ready to try and grab the bathroom before Frannie gets in there? Otherwise you might have to come down to dinner in your bathrobe."

"Oh, no, I wouldn't want to do that." Benny's smile was mischievous. "Though it would be interesting to see your family's reaction."

"Your family now, too, don't forget." Ray kissed Benny's lips and felt him smile.

"Yes, my family now, too." Benny's voice was full of satisfaction, and Ray felt warmed. He rolled out of his lover's embrace and off the bed. "Okay, I warned ya. If Frannie gets in there...!"

Benny merely laughed, lounging in bed as Ray grabbed his robe and shrugged into it, opening the door and hurrying to the bathroom while Dief passed him on the way downstairs. He wasn't kidding about Frannie.

He showered, shaved, and brushed his teeth, then returned to the bedroom to get dressed. Benny watched him indolently, Ray ignoring him, or at least pretending to do so. He scanned the clothes hanging in his closet and finally chose a pair of charcoal-gray slacks and his olive-green turtleneck shirt. The light glinted off his wedding ring and he smiled as he slid sock-clad feet into loafers.

"You're really lazy today, aren't you?"

"Yes," Benny purred, stretching and letting the sheet slip far below his waist. Ray swallowed and decided to leave before he found himself naked again and with an armful of hot Mountie. That wouldn't be so bad, of course, but he wanted to make sure that his mom had plenty of help in the kitchen.

He quietly went down the stairs and entered the kitchen, his mouth watering at the wonderful smells. Dief was seated before the oven and watching the turkey with an intense stare. Ray shook his head in fond exasperation and patted the wolf's head. He saw the cutting board and the chopped onions laying on top of it, but no signs of his mother. He was about to investigate when Rosa came up from the cellar, carrying a jar of preserves.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Ma!"

"Happy Thanksgiving, Raymondo!" Rosa kissed her son's cheek and beamed. "Do you think Benton will like my peach preserves, caro?"

Ray suddenly began coughing and Rosa had to thump him on the back. "Y...yeah, Ma. He'll love 'em."

"Good." Rosa was dressed in a plum-colored dress and her favorite apron: large red roses with white frills. It was the kind of apron that covered her from bosom to knees and she was in her element. "Sit down, Raymondo, and I'll get you breakfast."

"No, Ma, you're busy with the meal. I'll get my own breakfast, then I'll help you."

Ray ate a light breakfast of grapefruit halves and toast. Considering the amount of food he was going to consume today, it seemed like the wise thing to do.

Mother and son chatted quietly in the kitchen, Ray happy to get some time alone with his mother. She was always distracted by children or grandchildren, and it was nice to talk in a leisurely fashion. He finished his breakfast and cleaned up, then started helping her with dinner preparations.

"Ah! Good morning, Benton."

Ray turned to see Benny standing in the doorway, freshly-scrubbed and wearing his white knit sweater and fawn-colored slacks. His heart fluttering, Ray grinned. "Yeah, Benny, c'mon, shake a leg. You're family, right? Time to peel some potatoes."

"Raymondo!" Rosa scolded.
"No, Rosa, Ray's right. I should pull my fair share." Benny's smile was incandescent as he crossed the kitchen to stand next to his lover and peel potatoes.

It was bliss, Ray decided. To have Benny here in his home, accepted as his mate, their union blessed with rings and a ceremony and a civil union license from Vermont, was the pinnacle of happiness for him. He sighed in bliss as Benny's arm brushed against his own. What more could a man ask for?*

**

II
CHOCOLATE CREAM AND PUMPKIN

*Ray could hear the sounds of munchkin feet running around upstairs and went into the living room to turn on the TV. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade would be starting soon.

*"Firefighters from Ground Zero will be treated to hot turkey dinners today, courtesy of the many thousands of donations pouring into the city. Security will be very tight for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade held today as the police presence will be strong..."*

Ray's six-year-old niece Theresa ran in with her arms up. "Uncle Ray! Happy Thanksgiving!"

"Happy Thanksgiving, Sweetpea." Ray hugged her and tousled her dark curls. "Go on in the kitchen and get some cereal, and you can eat it in here."

"Okey dokey!" Theresa skipped off to the kitchen and returned with a bowl of dry Rice Krispies and a glass of orange juice. She set both carefully on the coffee table, using a coaster for the glass, and Ray hid a grin. Theresa was as neat and precise as her Uncle Benny.

"Enjoy, sweetheart." Ray returned to the kitchen, and Maria came downstairs with Tony, Jr. a few minutes later.

Fifteen minutes later, everyone in the house was up and downstairs except for Frannie, who was planted in the bathroom on what was probably a permanent basis. Noise babbled on from adults and children as the parade began. Benny and Ray found themselves with munchkin duty and settled into the living room to watch the parade.

"Ooh! Lookit! It's Curious George!" Theresa exclaimed, pointing a chubby finger at the screen. The giant balloon bobbed in the wind, its handlers holding onto their guidewires.

The marching bands were crisp and tuneful as the majorettes twirled their batons, Ray commenting, "Aren't they cold?" as they smiled and stepped their way in scanty outfits.

"Actually, Ray, cold is a relative..."

"Benny."

"I should be quiet?"
"Yes."

One of the parade hosts said chirpily, *"And here's the New York City Fire Department marching!"*

Cheers and wild waving greeted the firefighters, who smiled and waved back. The long lines of blue dress uniforms stretched out for what looked like blocks. Directly behind them came the police officers, also in blue and also waving.
The voice of the host said, *"You know, there was talk of cancelling the parade this year after the events of September 11th. Cancelling the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has only happened for three years during World War II. Also, in 1963, it was considered, as during the weekend of the assassination all sporting events except for the NFL were cancelled, and other events of note. It was decided that the parade would carry on, but the floats were draped in black."

"There was definitely an empty place at the nation's Thanksgiving table that year."

Ray and Benny's faces were solemn.

"Yes, and of course there are so many more this year in personal families."*

Ray reached over and curled his fingers around Benny's.

*"It makes you stop and think, doesn't it? How much we've come through as a nation but how much we have to be thankful for."*

Ray turned and said in a whisper, "I know what I'm thankful for."

Benny smiled shyly and whispered back, "Me, too."

Delicious aromas wafted from the kitchen. Ray's stomach grumbled.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Benton."

"Oh, Happy Thanksgiving, Francesca."

Frannie stood in the entranceway of the living room, her dress tight and her make-up perfect. Dangling earrings matched the necklace she wore with low cleavage. Ray rolled his eyes. Frannie knew that the Mountie was taken but she couldn't help putting on the warpaint.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Sis."

"Oh, I didn't notice you sitting there, Ray." Frannie's tone was syrupy sweet.

Ray grinned. "I know. Benny's beauty dazzled you."

"Ray!"

Ray just laughed as Frannie smiled, too. She turned around and sashayed to the kitchen.

"Francesca, um, certainly likes to get dressed up for holidays," said Benny, looking a little flushed.

"Yeah, well, she's a clotheshorse. Not that you'll ever have that problem, eh, Benny?"

Benny smiled. "No, Ray."

They settled back against the couch and continued watching the parade and keeping an eye on the little ones.

Relatives began to arrive, and the noise quotient grew louder as various Vecchios hobnobbed and caught up on family gossip. Benny made sure to stay close to Ray on the couch, the boisterous clan still able to spook him a little even after all these years.

An hour later, Maria, Frannie and female cousins and aunts started bringing out piping-hot dishes to the table. Tony had arrived in the living room with his youngest child, the baby cooing and laughing. Benny got up and helped the women, Ray still in charge of the children. He amiably talked with Uncle Lorenzo and other relatives as upcoming football games were discussed.

"Look! It's Santa!" Theresa exclaimed, pointing at the jolly red-suited gentleman on the screen.

"Yep, and it's time for all kids to be good," Ray said with a green-eyed twinkle.

"I always am, Uncle Ray!"

"Yes, I know, sweetheart." Ray kissed the little girl's fragrant hair and she giggled.

"Hey, it's almost eats time!" Tony said, bouncing his baby on his knee.

"That it is."

They still had to wait for the signal, and children and adults squirmed with eager anticipation. Finally Rosa came out of the kitchen and announced, "Dinner is ready!"

There was a mad scramble for the dining room, and somehow Tony got to his chair first, even loaded down with a squealing baby. Ray shook his head. It had to be a gift.

After everyone was in their chairs, Rosa tapped a fork to her glass for their attention. Everyone focused on the Vecchio matriarch.

"Thanksgiving is always a time to be appreciative of what we have. I think that is more true than ever this year. So many terrible things have happened, but we still have each other. Let us give thanks."

"Hear, hear!" said Frannie as she raised her glass.

Everyone drank and then Rosa said with a smile, "Dig in!"

The food was divine. The roast turkey was tender and succulent, and there was rich ziti with tomato sauce, creamy whipped potatoes with garlic, butternut squash with sprinkled brown sugar on top, hamburger stuffing with onions, baby carrots, green beans, yams, homemade cranberry sauce, and corn muffins. Rosa had already lined up a dessert menu that consisted of pies: chocolate cream, pumpkin, cherry, pecan, and lemon meringue. Benny figured that he would have to run ten miles tomorrow to work it all off. Then again, maybe he had another method of burning off calories. He blushed a little at the thought.

The meal was the usual Vecchio style of loud talk, laughter and multiple conversations. Benny felt grateful indeed for his inclusion in this special family, and he rested his hand on Ray's thigh under the yellow tablecloth. Ray registered his hand with a lift of his eyebrow, but never missed a beat in his conversations with Maria, Cousin Angela, and Aunt Concetta. He happily took another helping of turkey, stuffing, and yams and waved his fork around in emphasis of a point. Benny took seconds on turkey, stuffing, and a corn muffin. He knew that Dief was happily devouring his share of the Thanksgiving feast in the kitchen, and knew that he would have to get his wolf to run with him tomorrow.

Suddenly, he felt Ray's warm hand on top of his and he smiled as he took a sip of ginger ale.

Everyone stuffed themselves, and then the pies were announced. A collective groan went up from the table, then orders for what kinds were cheerfully thrown out. Rosa nodded, in her element, and didn't need to write them down. She never did. She and her daughters went out to the kitchen to fill the orders, and Benny figured he was shamelessly indulging himself with the chocolate cream but couldn't help himself. He seemed to lose all willpower at this table.

Ray had chosen pumpkin and was involved in a sports argument with one of his cousins. The pies began to come out and when everyone had a piece and the Vecchio women had resumed their seats, they all attacked the pies as if they were starving instead of having stuffed themselves with more food than an army could eat in a week.

The meal was, as always, a rousing success, and the clean-up went quickly with many hands. After an hour of sitting and watching football, Benny and Ray went for a walk at halftime. Benny didn't mind watching the games all afternoon as long as he got a chance to walk, and Ray always indulged him How could he not indulge the most beautiful man in the world?*

**

III

HAVEN

*The neighborhood was quiet, most of the families still eating or away visiting other people for the holiday. Occasionally a car would pass by or a dog would bark, but Benny and Ray were essentially alone as they walked through the streets of the neighborhood that Ray called home.

Ray's hands were in the pockets of his charcoal-gray coat, his heart at peace. This neighborhood was safe. He and a lot of other cops worked hard to keep it that way. Of course, part of the reason for the lack of crime was the fact that Frankie Zuko lived in the neighborhood, and it was bad form to commit crimes in the backyard of a Mafia chieftain, but Ray knew that the 27th Precinct kept their eyes on things. Many cops and firefighters lived in this neighborhood, noble and time-honored professions for the descendants of immigrant ancestors.

His family was safe. Despite the horrors of the world, they were safe here in this place.

And he had Benny. Best of all, most of all, he had Benny. He squeezed his lover's hand.

Benny turned his head to look at Ray and smiled, squeezing back. "A nice day," he said softly.

"Yeah." Ray's emerald eyes were luminescent. "Have I told you that I love you lately?"

Benny's smile grew brighter. "Every day. In every way."

Ray laughed. They continued to hold hands as they walked.

"Y'know, that parade announcer mentioning JFK's death...I don't remember much of it 'cause I was too young, but I do have fragments of memories: Ma crying, snatches of the funeral people talking about it at Thanksgiving. It was less than a week after he was killed. From what Ma has told me since then and what I've read, people were scared to death that day that Russia was making a move to some big coup. They thought Government officials would be targeted like Booth and his conspirators targeted Lincoln and Johnson and Seward back in 1865. People were scared and shocked and just numb." Ray sighed. "I understand that a lot better now."

"Yes, Secretary of State Seward was brutally attacked. Luckily for Vice President Johnson, his assigned attacker couldn't go through with it." Benny, of course, knew American history inside out. "Lincoln's did. He believed in a cause, one he was willing to die for. Damn, Benny. What makes people like that?"

Benny's eyes were sad. "Many things, Ray. Poverty, rage, helpnessness, jealousy. So many things."

"Yeah." Ray hunched his shoulders against a sudden gust of wind. "Did you know that Jackie Kennedy had her husband's blood and brains on her suit and stockings? Of course you'd know. You know American history better than Americans." Ray's emerald eyes were sad. "All over that pink suit, for everyone to see. And when she and the rest of the entourage landed at Dulles, the JFK's brother Bobby was the first to greet her? He was never the same after that day. Never the same."

They stopped walking, expressions faraway, then Ray squeezed Benny's hand again. A small smile lit his face.

"What say you and me go back to the house and watch the All-American tradition of guys trying to knock the stuffing out of each other on the football field?"

"That sounds lovely, Ray. Though the Canadian version can be just as bone-crunching."

"Canadian football? Bone-crunching? Ha, Benny! Next you'll be tellin' me that curling is a sport."

"It is, Ray. A fine old..."

Their voices faded as they walked back to the house.*

**

IV
STANDING TALL

*Benny and Ray planted themselves on the couch, Dief at their feet, and watched American football for hours with the Vecchio relatives. The children played noisily and a few arguments were broken up and then quickly forgotten as they re-applied childish energies. The women sat in the dining room and talked, cracking walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts, and the men ate popcorn and potato chips and drank beer. Benny was amazed at the capacity for anyone to eat after the feast they'd consumed. He drank bottled water and refrained from any more food, but Ray more than held his own with his uncles and cousins. Benny could never figure out how such a slender body could hold so much food and never gain an ounce. He patted his own stomach ruefully, knowing that if he didn't exercise he was going to gain weight from today. A bowl of nuts found their way to the coffee table, and he broke down and cracked a few, blushing as Ray whispered something dreadfully bawdy about nuts in general and his in particular. Ray returned to his yelling at the screen at the latest fumble, and Benny thought how much he would enjoy fumbling with Ray later.

The day ended with yet another meal, leftovers from the feast, people eating smaller portions but still eating. And then little ones were packed off and the relatives gone, leaving behind a quiet house and the drone of the TV.

All very typical, all very normal, even when times were anything but normal.

Benny and Ray went hand-in-hand up the stairs to their bedroom and closed the door behind them.*


Author's Notes:

When I noticed that the date for Thanksgiving this year was November 22nd, it made me think of that date in 1963 and the similarities between that horrific event and the one we suffered in 2001.

In 1963, the President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was cold-bloodedly executed in broad daylight on a gorgeous autumn day in an American city.

In 2001, nearly 6,000 citizens (and non-citizens) of the United States of America were cold-bloodedly executed in broad daylight on a gorgeous autumn day in an American city (and on American planes).

In 1963, the Nation lost its leader, its symbolic 'father' or 'older brother', our psyche forever changed. Our innocence was lost that day. The Nation's family wept.

In 2001, the Nation lost nearly 6,000 of its brothers and sisters, our psyche forever changed. Our innocence was lost that day. The Nation's family wept.

In 1963, there was an empty place at the national table on Thanksgiving.

In 2001, there are nearly 6,000 empty places at many families' tables on Thanksgiving.

In 2001, we've had more than two months to try and deal with the horror.

In 1963, we had less than a week.

What better tribute could be made than families all over America celebrating what it means to be an American and to cherish their families than having a typical Thanksgiving? That traditions like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade continues, whether draped in black or cheering on firefighters and police officers?

In 1963, the Nation reeled in shock, and yet we persevered. Our Government did not fall apart. Our citizens stood tall and strong despite their grief.

In 2001, we will do the same.*