“Of course. Please extend the invitation to your friend. It’s the least I can do, and your son and his girlfriend, as well.” Tori rattled off her email address.
“Thanks Tori. I’ll send the pictures shortly. Let me know if you see anything of interest.”
Tori promised she would before she thanked Carlita again and ended the call.
Carlita smiled at the phone in her hand. “This will be a party we won’t soon forget.”
Little did Carlita know how memorable it would turn out to be.
***
Thanksgiving Day dawned cool and clear. Carlita spent the morning baking cookies and as she worked, she thought about her first major holiday without her husband, Vinnie.
Pirate Pete Taylor had stopped by the pawnshop a couple of days earlier to invite the entire Garlucci family to the Parrot House Restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner.
Carlita suspected Tori Montgomery was behind Pete’s impromptu invitation after she’d confided in her that the family wasn’t up to celebrating with a big home cooked dinner and that she was missing Vinnie.
Pete rattled off the list of tempting dishes for the celebratory dinner, including herbed brown butter carved turkey breast, glazed pit ham and honey pecan fried chicken. “My topnotch chefs also plan to serve apple sausage stuffing, whipped potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese and sweet potato casserole.”
When Pete told her there would be pumpkin tartlets and mini red velvet cupcakes for dessert she was sold. Carlita told him to put her down for five, including Shelby and Violet.
“I’ll be savin’ a special table for you and your family. Be there at 4:30 and bring jackets. I have a surprise for all of you and the wee one, Violet.”
Carlita thanked Pete for inviting them and insisted that she owed him a home-cooked Italian feast before the end of the year. After accepting the invitation, she’d almost called Pete to cancel, certain that the holiday would be hectic for the Parrot House and feeling guilty they would be taking up tables that could be given to paying guests, but she’d already told her children and Violet that there was a special surprise. There was no way she could cancel now.
The pawnshop was closed for the holiday. Tony, Violet and Shelby arrived promptly at 4:15 with Violet leading the way as she skipped into the living room.
Carlita smiled. “Look at that adorable outfit. I want to take your picture.”
Violet tugged on the bottom of her shirt. “Mommy bought me this new outfit because the pilgrims came to Savannah.” She posed as Carlita snapped a picture of her and her festive holiday outfit. On the front of the brown blouse was a pink turkey. Orange and white ruffles lined the edges of the sleeves and a pair of pink sneakers peeked out from under the ankle ruffles of Violet’s bright orange and white leggings. “Did you bring a warm jacket?”
Shelby nudged her daughter to the side and stepped into the living room. “Yes. We’ve been looking forward to the Thanksgiving feast all day. We’ve never been to the Parrot House so that in itself will be a treat.”
“You look festive, Ma.” Tony touched the sleeve of his mother’s beaded blouse.
“Thanks son. Mercedes should be ready any second.”
“I’m ready.” Mercedes breezed into the living room. She knelt down and gave Violet a warm hug. “There’s our pretty princess. Pirate Pete said there will be lots of food. I hope you’re hungry.”
Violet patted her tummy. “I’m starving. Mommy said we couldn’t eat because we had to save our appetites for Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Violet.” Shelby shook her head. “You had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, some goldfish crackers and grapes for lunch.”
“But that’s not real food,” Violet insisted.
Carlita chuckled. “We better get going before Violet faints from hunger.”
The family walked the short distance to the restaurant. The parking lot was packed, without a single empty parking space in sight. The inside waiting area was just as busy and standing room only.
“I’ll let the host know we’re here.” Tony wound his way past waiting guests and returned with one of the greeters, who led them down a long hall, to the front of the restaurant and then to a room in the back.
A cheery fire burned brightly in the fireplace and they settled in at a round table in the corner. “I’ll let Pete know you’re here. He has a special surprise for you after dinner.” The greeter told them the meal was being served as a Thanksgiving Day buffet and where it was located before heading back to the front.
The server arrived promptly and took their drink orders. She repeated what the greeter had said, and that Pirate Pete would be along shortly to greet them.
Carlita heard Pirate Pete and his parrot, Gunner, before she saw them when Gunner began greeting diners at a nearby table. “You be dinin’ with some scurvy pirates today, I tell ya.”
By the time Pirate Pete and Gunner reached their table, the parrot was on a roll. “Scurvy Pirates. You’ll be walkin’ the plank.”
Violet covered her mouth and giggled. “Gunner is funny.”
The parrot squawked. “Gunner is handsome.”
Mercedes laughed. “Yes, you are handsome, Gunner.”
“Aye mates,” Pirate Pete patted Violet’s head. “I’m glad ta see all you landlubbers here. Don’t forget ta try the pirate punch.”
“It’s even safe for the wee lass,” he added.
“There’s a mutiny at hand,” Gunner said.
Pirate Pete tilted to the side and gazed at the parrot on his shoulder. “Has anybody ever told you that you talk too much?”
“Gunner is handsome,” Gunner replied.
Pete shook his head. “We best be makin’ our rounds.
