Billy and the Turkey
Shoot
A Thanksgiving Story
By Danny Tillman
Thanksgiving Morning
It is a simply beautiful Thanksgiving morning. The residers at Mary's and Rufus' house are so excited, it's a wonder someone doesn't call up 911, except for they don't have 911. Instead, it's a wonder someone doesn't call for several ambulance crews with stretchers enough for everyone except for Baby Sis, who is too young to get that excited.
Finally, Uncle Rufus tells everyone to calm down, that it was only going to be the best Thanksgiving they ever had…and then he passes out. When he comes to a few seconds later, he is still just as excited as everyone else. As in a dream, Mary and Betty float around, doing all the things mothers and wives do to prepare for a blessed Thanksgiving feast. The morning flys by.
The Hawkins family, consisting of Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Everett, big brother Ralph, red-haired Rosalind, and little Lamont, had arrived early as usual, getting there at 5:30 that morning. They had burst into the house without knocking, as usual, whereupon the Hawkins kids invaded 2 of the bedrooms and proceeded to drag Sonny, Deuie, and Li'l' Sis, from their slumbers. Then everybody, including Billy, had Aunt Mary's famous and delicious creamy oatmeal, milk and toast for breakfast. The grownups had coffee also.
After breakfast, Uncle Rufus and Billy helped Uncle Everett unload Thanksgiving delights from the Hawkins' car, while Ralph, Sonny, Rozzy (that's what they called Rosalind most of the time), Lamont, Deuie, Janice, and Li'l Sis were running around playing and rough-housing already.
Rosalind was a girl, but living between two brothers had transformed her into a tough tomboy. She could fight like an unleashed tiger, complete with growls and screams. She would attack, especially her big brother Ralph, with animated vigor. Crouching and circling him, she would then spring with feline ferocity through the air, landing on top of him, as they both crashed backwards to the floor (or ground). You didn't want to mess with Rozzy and expect to win the tussle!
Then, at 7:00 o'clock A.M., a line of pickup trucks filed down Girvin Road and began turning in at Uncle Rufus' and Aunt Mary's white house: Albey Yark and Company were arriving!