3D: Harvestfest

Ever since laying eyes on the Corleonesi mansion, Aubrey dreamed of hosting a grand Harvestfest dinner. The spacious kitchen longed for pots, plans, and ingredients spread across every surface. The long dining table begged for a big party. All year, images of this perfect day danced in her head. She saw her parents smiling at her in pride, Oliver wandering around curiously, and Maya and Ranveer having the time of their lives. But, the morning of, she awoke covered in sweat—and not because of last night’s playtime with Julio.

“Whoa. Are you ok?” he asked.

She groaned, fanning herself. “Does Salma usually have the heat so high?”

“No, but it feels fine to me. I hope you’re not getting sick.”

That word shot through her like an arrow. It couldn’t be! Salma just cranked up the heat. That was the only acceptable reason. “Sick? No. I can’t afford to be sick today!”

“Maybe it’s nothing. You were fine last night. Perfect, actually,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Julio didn’t flirt much, but when he did, it was a royal treat. But, she was too miserable to enjoy it. “Yeah! It’s nothing. It’s just stress. Yes! Stress. I’m stressed! I’m just gonna relax and take a nice, long bath, and then I’ll be good as new.”

In the bathtub, she lay willing the toxins and unwanted maladies to exit her body. Whether it worked, or she wasn’t sick, she got out the tub feeling brand new, and for that she was thankful. A smile stretched across her face while dressing. She’d have her perfect holiday dinner after all! Her first order of business was to decorate. Julio tried to convince her to let Salma do it, but she had specific pieces to put in specific places. Everything had to be perfect!

“You could just tell her where you want everything,” he said.

“If I have to walk around the house and show her where I want stuff, I may as well do it myself!”

He threw up his hands and walked away leaving her to do whatever she felt was best.

She did, however, need Salma’s help with one task and hated asking. Aubrey grew tired of trying to make friends and stayed out of her way. Mostly, it worked, but she hated living in strife.

Why did she hold on to the past so tightly? It wasn’t healthy for either of them, and Aubrey wanted to avoid putting down her foot with the “you’re my employee” conversation. But, it was a holiday and the family’s first visit to her new home. Everything needed to be perfect including Salma’s behavior, so Aubrey threw on a smile and hoped for the best. “Happy Harvestfest, Salma!”

Hopefully, her smile looked convincing.

“Same to you, ma’am. Are you excited about your family coming?”

“Oh, yes! I’ve been dreaming of this all year!”

“I’ll bet you have. I must say, I’ve been eager to meet The Pruetts myself. Your family is quite…legendary.”

She said it in a tone Aubrey didn’t recognize, but it wasn’t nice and made her nervous all over again.

“Salma, would you mind helping me?”

Her eyes softened, and she became that kind woman she remembered from the first time they met. “I would love to be part of your special day, Mrs. Pruett. What do you need?”

Wow. What a change! And, so easy. Aubrey didn’t have the time to analyze the situation, but she hoped it was a sign that there could be peace between them one day. “Can you make some appetizers? I think I want them on the coffee table so they can grab them while they wait.”

“Oh! I can cook now?”

She laughed and walked away. Aubrey shook her head and prayed for guidance with this woman.

---

Julio worked in the office while Aubrey decorated the house. He could have offered to help, but in their short time of marriage, he learned sometimes it was best to stay out of her way. Julio was not a stranger to her perfectionism being friends half their lives, but living with her was different. He had a permanent backstage pass for every rant and meltdown. It took him a few arguments to learn that saying “it’s not that serious” made things worse. Being married to Aubrey was definitely an adventure.

Pots and pans hitting the marble countertops echoed through the hall. He saved the spreadsheet he worked in and checked on her. His heart broke when he saw the spots on her arms. This day was the highlight of her year, she said frequently. The wedding should have been the highlight, but to each her own. He wanted success for her, but it looked doubtful.

She wiped her eyes when she noticed him. “Everything is ruined,” she yelled in a nasal voice while seasoning the turkey.

Aubrey was usually optimistic and cheerful. It broke his heart to see her so downtrodden. “Have you eaten anything?”

“How can I eat?? I have so much to do, and they’re on their way!”

“You won’t get better if you don’t take care of yourself, Sweetie. Here, drink some water while I make you some tea. At least stay hydrated.”

Her smile looked painful. “You’re so sweet to me, Julio,” she cried.

The Pruetts, unlike his mother, were always on time. Aubrey invited her and family, but Aaliyah declined saying they already made plans. That story reeked of white lies. Sure enough, when Julio followed up, Aaliyah confessed to being anxious about hanging with the Pruetts, being Tony’s wife and all. They were cordial at the wedding and rehearsal dinner, but they didn’t have to spend time together. But, a family holiday gathering? They were designed for togetherness and begged for trouble.

The doorbell rang. The Pruett family arrived exactly when Aubrey said they would. Julio got nervous. The dynamic was different now that they were in his home—Tony’s home. He took a deep breath while Salma showed them into the living room. Everything would be fine. It had to for Aubrey. Jonathan and Skyla never displayed ill feelings. Why start now?

“Julio, my man,” Jonathan shouted. “How’s married life?”

Jonathan was a goofball to the core. Julio could relax around him and tried a response more his speed. “Marriage is great. But … I miss having my own bathroom.”

“HA! Oh, the joys of living with women. I know it well!”

Aubrey greeted everyone, and Skyla dashed to see how she could help. Aubrey declined, but when Skyla saw she was sick … Well, Julio couldn’t hear what she said, but her face said it all.

Jonathan yammered on about the adjustment period he and Skyla went through, but a tickle in Julio’s throat distracted him. He cleared his throat a few times, but it wouldn’t go away so he excused himself to get some tea. By the time he returned to the living room, he had spots just like Aubrey.

Maya smiled and nodded at Jonathan. “They’re both sick.”

A mischievous grin crawled across Jonathan’s face. “Oh really,” he said with his hands on his hips. “I wonder how that happened.”

“Oh, you know how it happened,” Maya said.

Sometimes Julio swore they were the same person. They were fun though.

“If you two don’t stop it,” Skyla barked.

“I wanna help Aubrey,” Oliver shouted.

“I think the best way to help Aubrey is to stay out of her way, handsome,” Skyla said.

Maya sucked her teeth and grabbed her brother. “Whatever! We don’t have to listen to Aubrey. We do whatever we want!”

“Yeah,” Oliver shouted. “I’m gonna set the table.”

“That’s actually a fantastic idea, Oli!”

---

Jonathan glanced around the table at his beautiful family while they waited for the little man to return from the bathroom. This was the new normal. Gathering at each other’s homes after not seeing everyone for a while; having sons-in-law and soon grandchildren; handing the reins to another man to lead the next generation. Feelings of sadness briefly took over because he felt like his season was over. Not like he was dying or anything but like he was becoming irrelevant. But, glancing at Ranveer and Julio’s young, anxious faces, pride rose inside him. They weren’t his biological children, but they were his legacy too. Not only because of their relation to his daughters but also the influence he had on their lives.

Julio cleared his throat. “First, I think we should give my beautiful wife a hand for this wonderful meal.”

Everyone clapped and cheered while she blushed sipping tea. Poor thing. She worked herself into a frenzy. Perfectionism had always been her Achilles heal.

“She’s been looking forward to this for a very long time and wouldn’t let her illness stop her. We apologize in advance if any of you get sick.”

Everyone laughed.

“We’re grateful to have you in our home for the first time and look forward to many more opportunities to spend with our families. Do you want to say anything, Sweetie?”

Sweetie? That was new. It was so nice to see evidence of them loving on each other—besides their illness, of course. Knowing every couple was not as affectionate as he and Skyla, or Maya and Ranveer, he worried about them sometimes. They were both so task oriented. He hoped they were making time for each other.

Aubrey shook her head. “I love you guys and am glad you’re here.”

Her weak voice gave way to her declining condition. Jonathan wanted to wrap her in a blanket and hold her while she slept, but she had a man to do that now.

“Ok … Let’s eat!”

---

Outtake:

After dinner, the butler came from wherever she hid all afternoon and collected the plates. Judging from the formal uniform, she was legit butler and probably went to a butler academy if there were such a thing. But, Aubrey was more than capable of running a household, and Julio didn’t seem like the type to give orders. Why did she stay? 

“Salma! I was hoping you would have joined us. We would love to get to know you.”

“Hmph. I’m flattered, Mr. Pruett, but I do NOT do sick people! Not uh! I like to stay as far away as possible. I don’t play that!”

This woman was a real character.