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The Best Worst Thanksgiving Ever

By: Stacie_Maddoxxx



Author's Note:

Dear Readers,

As with my previous submission, this one is a slow build and a bit on the lengthy side. It may not be for everyone. For those who continue reading, I hope you enjoy. All feedback and comments are welcome.

-S. Maddoxxx

*****

Toni Davies sat at the stoplight waiting for green as she took into account the sparse traffic. She glanced at her dashboard clock. 10:13 am. Thanksgiving Day. She was already exhausted. It would make sense if the exhaustion was due to efforts geared towards basting a turkey just right or baking multiple pies. No, it was from breaking up a fist fight between two 14-year old girls. She had gotten the call around 4:10 that morning. She was the clinical director of Hope's Heart, a non-profit agency serving at-risk youth and with the position came attending to just about every major crises with the kids that resided at the girl's group home. There were plenty of other staff members on the list that were to be called before Toni, but it was hard to get someone to answer their phone at 4 in the morning on a holiday. Except for Toni. She always answered. Always. 

Toni knew she should set better boundaries. A special place in her heart for the girls combined with her lifelong inability to say no caused her to be overworked. As a Masters level, licensed clinical social worker with 10 years experienced, Toni knew she could walk into any hospital setting or contract herself out to several other big corporations for a lot less hours and a lot more money than what she was making at Hope's Heart, but she really wanted to make a difference in the lives of the families they served. That was the kind of heart Toni had. She had it her entire life. She couldn't help it. If there was ever anybody in need she wanted to help them. The problem was she often neglected herself in the process.

Toni pulled down her visor, glanced in the mirror, and winced. She looked terrible. She had not had time to get ready properly. No make-up, dark circles around her big, almond shaped light brown eyes, and her hair looked like that of somebody who just broke up a fight between two adolescent girls. Her flawless chestnut brown skin, usually her best feature, looked ashen. After getting the call and believing it was a true emergency, she rushed to get dressed, which included a wrinkled blouse and the same skirt she had worn yesterday. She threw her hair into what barely passed as a pony tail and dodged out of the house. After breaking up the fight between Crystal and Sarah, Toni spent another hour calming Crystal down about what was behind her picking the fight in the first place, her mother had canceled on her visit to see her for Thanksgiving. 

Toni was supposed to be relieved at 6 which would give her time to get the corn and potatoes ready, her contribution to the Thanksgiving meal at Cynthia's, pick out something decent to wear, and most importantly, get some sleep. But a staff member called in sick. Another staff member did come in at 8, but the kids wanted Toni to stay for the Thanksgiving breakfast they had prepared. She couldn't say no to that. Next, the parents started to arrive which triggered Crystal's tantrum all over again. Toni stayed until Crystal calmed down and begin to enjoy herself with the other kids' families.

When Toni was finally able to leave. She called Cynthia to say she would be late, but Cynthia told her to come right away. Toni gave a slight protest about not having anything cooked and what she was wearing, but ended up bypassing home and going straight to Cynthia's. When her 8-months pregnant best friend, who already has three other young children, tells her to get to her house, Toni figured she better get there. Toni guessed she probably needed extra help with the kids and her family in the mist of all of the cooking since Cynthia's husband he had an emergency bypass that came on the schedule yesterday evening. 

Toni yawned as the familiar exhaustion became more apparent. The last few months had been like this for her. Barely getting even 4 hours of sleep at night. Three workers at Hope's Heart had quit in the past weeks and it put added duties on top of everything else she had to do. She glanced at the gas gauge and reminded herself to fill up soon. She turned up the knob on the heater. The temperature was in the low 30's and she had not put on a proper coat in her rush outside the house that morning. The light, thin thing she had on would not even pass as a coat in this weather. She looked up at the sky. The forecast had said there was a strong chance of sleet later, which would make the roads dangerously icy. She might have to sleep over at Cynthia's tonight. 

Toni moved through the green light. Her depression was weighing on her like a wet blanket. It had been a year since she had broken up with Greg. What she had discovered, or maybe what she knew all along, was it wasn't him she missed, but what the relationship was supposed to become. He had been her only serious relationship in her entire 31 years. It lasted for 5. It was supposed to be the one. To fix whatever she felt was broken inside of her, whatever made her have that inability to truly feel loved or connected to a romantic partner. She was supposed to fall in love with him, but never did. He knew it too and was probably just going through the motions like she did. When Toni found out he was seeing his ex-girlfriend behind her back, she was not even surprised. Her only real hurt came from the fear that her relationship with Greg was her one shot at happiness and she failed at it. Losing her Aunt Mattie 2 years ago, who raised her from age 4 on after her mother died, did not help matters. Her depression started then and became compounded over the last year between the break up, work, and not taking care of herself physically. She had already lost 30 pounds this year without even trying. 

Toni hoped she could get to Cynthia's before any of the other guests arrived. Guests. Just thinking of the word made the knot in her stomach grow tighter and she knew it was the thought of one guest in particular that made her feel that way. When Cynthia first talked about having Thanksgiving at her house Toni didn't give it a second thought because she usually spent the holidays at Cynthia's. They were like a second family to her. Cynthia Johnson had been her best friend ever since they had been roommates freshmen year. 

Toni was looking forward to the Thanksgiving meal. She was making a guest list for Cynthia when she stopped cold over one name in particular before Cynthia could get out of her mouth good. Allison Conway. Damn, Toni hated that woman with a passion. Allison was such a strong personality. She stood 5'8, had rich creamy skin the color of dark honey, and big hazel eyes. Truth be told, she was stunningly gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful and always dressed to the 9's. She had such a presence. She walked into each and every room like she owned it, whether it was a board room, five-star restaurant, or a ladies room. She was the epitome of female poise, brilliance, confidence, sexiness...and Toni couldn't stand her. 

She first met Allison at a birthday party for Ron. She was some high powered lawyer at the firm that Cynthia worked at. At first, Toni was just in awe of how beautiful she was and excited to meet her. Then something strange started to happened during their times together. What really got to Toni about Allison was how critical she was of Toni. No matter what, in some way, she was criticizing what she wore, how she looked, where she lived, her job. It almost came to blows on that last issue. It was at a promotion celebration for Cynthia. Toni was late getting there and made an apologetic vent about not having anybody to cover her at work and how tired she felt. Allison took the opportunity to mention what a waste it was to work at a job where one is overqualified and underpaid. Plus, if people where supposed to come in and cover her, then it was up to her to stand firm about them coming in. Toni could have reached across the table and smacked her. Smacked her good. Her desire to see Cynthia have a nice time and not be put out of the restaurant and branded as some psychotic fool was the only thing that saved Allison that day. 

Then there was the time that Allison showed up out of the blue when Toni was sick just to admonish her about not seeing the doctor for her flu symptoms. Toni had passed out earlier that day at work and was rushed to the emergency room. She was released the same day, and called Cynthia when she got home who insisted on bringing her some soup. When Toni opened the ringing door, it was not Cynthia, but Allison who stood on the steps. It was so weird. Toni couldn't figure out for the life of her why this busy attorney, who she only had a few encounters with, would take time just to come all the way to her home and point out how wrong again Toni was for something. Being overly medicated and half-asleep was the only thing that allowed Allison to escape Toni's burgeoning wrath yet again. But the day was coming. Toni could feel it. 

Then there was everything else they argued about-politics, capital punishment, welfare, capitalism, gap between rich and poor. Toni on one side and Allison on another. Many of a dinner engagement, or club outing found all the other ladies eating or on the dance floor while Toni and Allison engaged in passionate debates and ignoring everything around them. As much as it upset her when arguing with Allison, Toni had to admit she never felt more alive. Everything and everyone around her was so mundane, so predictable. Even though she loved Cynthia like a sister, their conversations were often dry, predictable scripts regarding Cynthia's kids, Ron's work, or what was on sale at the grocery store. Allison brought something out of her that she could not put her finger on just yet. She challenged her. Allison knew her stuff. The woman was well read. Journal articles, books, the news, she did her research. Toni often found that they had read many of the same things, just had different perceptions of them. Allison knew so many more things other than the law. And while Toni disagreed with about 90% of what she said, Allison always made a good case for it and Toni had to respect that. Cynthia mentioned on more than one occasion how brilliant Allison was, being one of the youngest Jr. partners in their firm. Toni hated to admit it, but Allison kept her on her toes. She awakened something inside of her.

But there was a barrier. She felt in Allison's eyes like she was not rich enough, fashionable enough...good enough. And it seemed this criticism was only directed at Toni. Allison, was in fact, sweet as sugar to everyone else. While always somewhat bossy, she was still helpful, kind, and respectful. From different encounters she had with Allison at dinner parties with Cynthia, spa days, going to the movies, she had seen Allison give the same respect she reserved for top executives, to wait staff and housekeepers. Allison was always warm, polite, welcoming...except when it came to Toni. For the life of her, Toni could not figure out why Allison disliked her so much. Toni knew she wasn't the corporate America type and looked all the time like she had just finished shopping at the Bargain Bin while putting out a fire, but she was a nice person. At least everyone else thought so. Allison was such a snob when it came to her. And that smug smile. Toni detested that smile and it was only reserved for Toni. It was a smile that said, "I know how to get to you and I am going to keep doing it because I can."

A knot in Toni's stomach grew tighter as she made the familiar right onto Sycamore Street. She even felt her breath quicken and could not believe she had this much anxiety about being in Allison's presence. A sense of relief washed over her as Cynthia's newly purchased two story house came into view. The only other car in the driveway was Cynthia's station wagon that was currently without heat. No sign of Allison's fire-red Lexus, beige Land Rover, or whatever other luxury cars she drove. Toni was elated. Allison was always prompt. Always. No matter how hard Toni tried, she could never arrive anywhere to anything before Allison. Like she set it up on purpose just to get Toni nervous by watching her come in and judge what she wore, how she walked, whatever she could sneer at. So Toni knew that if Allison was not here by now, she was not going to make it. Probably had some client to meet and squeeze another dollar from, Toni thought. She was surprised Allison even celebrated Thanksgiving and it wasn't just another workday for her. 

Toni pulled into the driveway and got out. She knew Cynthia would not give her grief about showing up empty handed and there was probably plenty of other food. She was surprised she was the first one there. She hoped she could get time to change into something of Cynthia's and become somewhat decent looking before the other guests arrived. Toni rang the bell and began digging in her purse for her key when the door opened and she was greeted by a large pair of soft brown eyes. "Auntie Toni!," screamed Cynthia 's 6-year-old daughter, Dasia, who took the next second to hop into Toni's arms. Toni picked her up and closed the door. "Hey, baby," she said as she gave her a kiss and walked further into the house. Something was off. RJ, Cynthia's 4-year- old son, ran into the foyer. "Ms. Toni!" Dasia reluctantly got down as Toni bent to give RJ his hug and stood up. Something was definitely not right. She took a deep sniff and realized what it was. She didn't smell any food. "Mommy is getting ready and then we can go," Dasia said looking up at her. "Go where?" Toni inquired as she grabbed both the kids' hands and made her way into the kitchen. It was completely clean except for a bag of open Cheetos on the counter. "Where is all the food?" Toni asked.

Suddenly, Cynthia rushed in carrying 1-year-old Marcus, diapers, and wearing nothing but a slip. Cynthia gave Toni a kiss on the cheek then handed her the baby. "Hey, girl. How was work? Will you change little Marcus? I still have to put my dress on." She looked Toni up and down. "Oooh, you look tired." 

Toni followed her out of the kitchen with the baby and other kids. "Cynthia, what is going on and where are you all going?" Cynthia picked her dress off from the back of the couch and started to put it on while Toni began changing the baby. "Well, on Tuesday we found out Ron's sister couldn't make it and, of course, Ron has to work today. And this morning, they grounded all flights out of Chicago because of the weather so my mom and brother can't make it." Cynthia put her dress on and tried grabbing her shoes from RJ and Dasia who thought this was the perfect moment for keep away. "So with not everybody coming I got to thinking was it still worth it cooking such a large meal." Toni finished with the baby's diaper as Cynthia finally wrangled her shoes from the giggling kids. 

Toni grabbed a nearby brush and began brushing Dasia's hair back into a pony tail. "Well I was telling all of this to Allison." At immediate mention of the name, Toni went cold and the knot in her stomach from earlier started to tighten. "Well," Cynthia continued, "She mentioned that her family was coming over so why don't we all go to her house. She said she didn't mind cooking and was looking forward to it." Toni sat in stone silence with the brush still in Dasia's hair. "Aunt Toni, you're pulling to tight," Dasia protested through clinched teeth. Toni snapped back to reality. With shaky hands she quickly finished with Dasia's hair at which Dasia made a quick escape. "Isn't that great?" Cynthia chided. We will be spending Thanksgiving at Allison's new house." Toni knew yelling out the obscenities that were itching to come out may not be the best response, so she settled for a huge fake smile that kept her from having to say anything. Whether Cynthia ever detected Toni's distain of Allison or not, on any occasion, she hid it well.

Cynthia beamed as she picked up the baby and ushered the other kids toward the coat rack. Feeling numb and in a daze, Toni walked over to help the kids get their coats on. "Her home is absolutely gorgeous," Cynthia went on. "We have been there a few times. It is simply amazing. She lives in Auburn Heights." Toni just kept her smile on as she put back on her own thin coat and ushered the kids out the front door. Inside her head she was cursing. Auburn Heights was one of the most affluent and wealthiest neighborhoods in the entire city. Of course she would live there Toni thought to herself. "Are you sure you don't want a warmer coat?" Cynthia asked. The temperature is supposed to drop severely later this evening. We will probably be at Allison's a while." Toni almost tripped off the front step from that last statement. "Aunt Toni, are you ok?" Dasia asked sweetly. "I'm fine, sweetie," Toni said and helped the kids get into her car and buckled up. 

She got the car seat from the station wagon and fixed it up in the back for little Marcus. "Thanks for driving," Cynthia said as she strapped him in and headed to the front. "We still need to get the wagon looked at." Toni just stood outside the car. Everyone else was in, buckled up, and ready to go. She wondered what would happen, short of a psychiatric stay and frostbite, if she just decided to not to get in the car and stand there all night. "Toni quit standing there like that!" Cynthia called up at her. "It's cold and we are already late. Come on." Toni let out a silent groan and got inside of the car. 

As Toni backed down the driveway, a plan started to form in her mind. The last thing she wanted to ever do was spend a second, let alone her Thanksgiving, at Allison Conway's house. Seeing her at Cynthia's house was one thing, but being on Allison's home turf was whole other ball game. This day had already been horrible. It had been both mentally and physically exhausting and she didn't have it in her to face the arrogance and ego of that woman today. She was NOT going to that woman's house to hear her criticize everything from her job, clothes, car and whatever else Allison could pick apart. Toni looked to her side and in the rear view mirror at her eager passengers, all smiles and ready for the trip. As she drove, Toni glanced over at Cynthia. Toni hated to do it, but she was desperate. Perhaps this would be a great time to remind Cynthia of the conversation they had a few weeks ago about Cynthia wanting to have their first Thanksgiving dinner in the new house. Cynthia had been so excited about it. It was not too late. They could turn the car around and go back home and whip something together. 

Toni opened her mouth. "Cynthia, I was just think-" 

You know I am so glad Allison is doing this for us," Cynthia interjected. "Being 8-months pregnant and with 3 other kids to look after, there was no way I was looking forward to standing on my feet all day cooking. I can cook a big Thanksgiving meal next year at the house. No big deal. I felt bad at first, but Ron and the kids are fine with it. If he gets off early enough, he will swing by Allison's and eat with us." Toni clamped her mouth shut. Damn she thought to herself. It seemed kind of cruel to bring it up now. Toni could feel her breathing getting more rapid as she got on the freeway on- ramp. It was about 45 minutes to Allison's house and she needed another plan fast.

Toni looked in the rearview mirror at the eager faces of the kids. Even little Marcus was beaming and he had no clue what was going on. Toni knew it was low, but she remembered past instances at their other friends' houses where the kids refused to eat other people's food. They could be very picky eaters at times. Perhaps Cynthia needed this pointed out to save her some embarrassment and they could just turn the car around and go back home before it was too late. "You know Cynthia-"


The Best Worst Thanksgiving Ever



"I'm happy we get to go to Ms. Allison's house. We get macaroni!" Dasia piped up from the back seat. Toni looked back at her surprised. "You know it is the weirdest thing," Cynthia offered. "They are usually such picky eaters, but every time we have been to Allison's, they gobble up whatever she puts in front of them." Toni looked in the review mirror. The children looked back at her with smiles as to confer their mother's statement. Even little Marcus gurgled an approval. Little traitors Toni thought to herself. She gripped the steering wheel tightly. This wasn't working. 

She was racking her brain for another plan when she heard the saving grace of her cell phone. The familiar ringtone of the Hope's Heart group home number was heaven sent. Toni smiled inwardly. After the many, many times those calls have interrupted a dinner with friends, movies, or much needed sleep with a request for her to come in and cover somebody's shift, it was about to be a help to her for the first time ever. Of course, she didn't want to spend her holiday back at the group home since she had just been there half the morning, but anything was better than Allison's. Anything. "Will you grab that for me?" she asked Cynthia politely. Toni began switching to the right lane so she could take the exit for a turnaround. Ron could take them to Allison's when he got off work. She tried not to feel too bad about it, but this was finally a legitimate excuse to avoid going to Allison's. 

By the time Cynthia got the phone out, it had gone to voice mail. "Just put the message on speaker," Toni said. She wanted everyone to hear so it could be legit. Cynthia hit the speaker button. "Hey, Toni, it's Margo. Didn't want to interrupt your Thanksgiving but just wanted to let you know not to worry at all about coming in later. Sandy's flight was canceled and both volunteers said they could be back-up so we are completely covered. We appreciate you so much and wanted to make sure you get some sort of a break this Thanksgiving. Don't worry about coming in until Tuesday. Enjoy your Thanksgiving. Bye." Cynthia clicked the phone off as Toni's heart sank. "Wow, that is great," Cynthia exclaimed. "You never get a break. This is wonderful. Now you can have the whole Thanksgiving!" Of all the times, Toni thought to herself. Of all the fucking times! In the 5 years as the clinical director at Hope's Heart, she had NEVER gotten a holiday off. What was going on here? 

For just a brief moment, Toni contemplated the social, and possible legal ramifications, of leaving her 8-months pregnant best friend on the side of the freeway with her three children in the freezing cold on Thanksgiving. Toni sighed and gripped the steering wheel tighter. Not only was she upset that her plans were not working, guilt started creeping in. She looked at Cynthia and back at the kids. What was she doing? She loved them all so much. She never wanted to lie or manipulate them and certainly didn't want to ruin their Thanksgiving. Plus, it wasn't even her character which was evident by her complete inability to pull it off. Cynthia glanced over at her. "Are you alright?" 

"Fine." 

A few seconds passed. "You know I told Allison you were coming and how much you love Plum Pudding made from scratch even though nobody else really does." Toni shook her head. She knew she shouldn't ask, but still "Yeah, and what did she say?" Cynthia thought a moment. "Um, well that it takes an incredibly long time to prepare and cook properly, it would be really expensive to get the right kind of cognac and find the necessary dried fruits at this time, and that it really was not a Thanksgiving dish anyway and she just could not understand why you would wait so late to make a request like that." Toni felt her skin get heated. "Hey, I didn't even ask the bitc-" Toni glanced at the young eyes watching in the review mirror and clamped her mouth shut. "Figures," she said quietly as she reluctantly moved the car back into the middle lane. 

30 minutes later, they pulled into the Auburn Heights neighborhood. Besides the huge, fancy Auburn Heights sign, it was immediately evident that they were in the posh neighborhood by the sprawling estates that adorned the streets. Beautiful, massive brick homes of different designs. All elegant and gorgeous. "I love coming here," Cynthia said. "These homes make our new one look like a shack. Wait to you see Allison's home. Her street is on the left after the traffic light." 

Toni had to admit to herself that the homes were amazing. She turned onto Allison's street and was greeted by another set of elegant homes more beautiful than the street before. There was a smattering of people out putting up their Christmas decorations. "There it is," Cynthia said. Toni pulled into the circular driveway of a beautiful, massive brick home. She rolled her eyes as she passed a beautiful keystone bronze mailbox that was nothing but show. Did she have to show off with everything, Toni thought. Even a damn mailbox? There were two luxury cars already there, Allison's Land Rover and some sports car whose brand symbol Toni couldn't even recognize. Toni looked around. The expansive yard, a small fountain off to the side, the massive size of the home. "I thought Allison was single," Toni said a little more loudly than was necessary. "She is," Cynthia said unbuckling her seat belt. Toni inwardly rolled her eyes. How the hell does one person need so much space?! 

Everyone eagerly got out of the car. Everyone but Toni. Cynthia was half way unbuckling little Marcus when she called out, "Toni, would you get of the damn car?! What is going on with you today?" Toni reluctantly got out, grabbed the other two kids by the hand and followed Cynthia to the front door. It was opened by a man Toni didn't recognize. "Hey Derrick," Cynthia said. "Welcome, Cynthia and company." He gave her a hug as they all went inside the house. "Toni, this is Derrick. One of the partners at the firm and his wife, Vanessa." Everyone exchanged pleasantries. 

Toni helped the two kids get their coats off. She didn't make a move for her own coat. She looked around the incredibly large foyer. It was stunning. The chandelier alone must have cost a fortune and worth every penny. The foyer was tastefully decorated with gorgeous end tables, paintings, and expensive vases. "Wow, this house gets better looking every time I see it," Cynthia said. She gave little Marcus to Toni and took off her coat. "Who else is here?" Cynthia asked as she hung her coat, grabbed the baby, and directed the kids into the living room. "I think your friend Rose and her family will be coming and I believe that is it. Allison's family couldn't make it," Derrick offered. Everyone, but Toni, headed to the living room. She remained standing by the coat rack with her coat still on. Just say you're sick she told herself. It wouldn't all be a lie with her newly throbbing headache and how exhausted she felt. You did your duty by getting them there. Now just leave before you see her, Toni thought to herself. Cynthia came back in holding little Marcus. 

"Toni, what are you doing?" Look, Cynthia," she started, "I-" 

Just then Allison came in from the kitchen, and as mentioned before, the woman knew how to make an entrance. Especially in her own house. Allison wore a beautiful brown silk dress with a bright orange waist belt. It hugged her tall, curvy body perfectly. She adorned it with matching orange jewelry and high orange Manolo Blahnik heels. It was a beautiful mix of harvest colors that perfectly complimented the Thanksgiving holiday. Her short bob was combed into a faux hawk that was sophisticated, yet edgy. Her beautiful smooth brown skin glistened, those beautiful hazel eyes bright and clear. Damn she looks beautiful, Toni said to herself as she admired how the dress hugged Allison's gorgeously curvy body. Whoa, Toni thought to herself. Where did that thought come from? It was then she became aware again of her own haggard appearance. 

Allison gave Cynthia a kiss on the cheek and grabbed little Marcus from her. She offered Toni that same smug smile. 

"Hi, Toni." 

"Allison." 

"Why do you still have your coat on? Are you going somewhere?" 

There it was again. A dare, a challenge hidden underneath that smug smile. Toni knew she was daring her to walk out of the house like a chicken. Toni wouldn't give her the satisfaction. "Not at all." Toni undid her coat and put it on the lavish coat rack. She knew she was now subjecting her outfit to Allison's scrutiny. Allison gave her the once over. "Wow, have you lost more weight? That is really not healthy." Toni opened and closed her shaking hands while biting her tongue. Allison's eyes moved to Toni's pitifully thin coat hanging on the rack. "That is a really thin coat for this kind of weather. And it's only going to get colder by this evening. You really should have a proper winter coat." Every nerve of Toni's being was on fire right now. "My coat is fine," she snapped. Where is your bathroom please?" Another smug smirk. Allison knew she was getting to her. "Down the hall to the left," Allison said. 

Cynthia, again seemingly oblivious to the silent battle between the two women, began moving towards the living room. "Allison this house looks a little different than when we here in June." "Yes, I had new carpet put into the living room and redid two other rooms. Would you like a tour?" "Oh, Yes. And so would Toni. Wouldn't you, Toni? Since it is your first time here," Cynthia offered. Hell no she didn't want a damn tour. "Of course. Just give me a minute please," Toni said. Allison gave another smirk. Toni rushed down the hall to the bathroom. 

Toni closed the bathroom door and put her throbbing head against the cool tiles. "Just get through this," she said out loud. "Just eat and keep your mouth shut about your opinions. Give it two hours. That is more than courteous. Then you can leave. Just eat and keep your mouth shut." Toni looked around the bathroom. It was decorated in a deep lavender and soft cream from the colored soaps on the sink, to the plush towels, rugs, toilet cover, shower, tiles, and hanging pictures. It was gorgeous. She turned on the fancy faucet and splashed cool water on her face. Looking in the mirror she almost jumped. Damn, she forgot to change at Cynthia's. Her hair had become even more of a rat's nest and she looked incredibly tired. Cynthia could have told me something, she thought. Of all times, why did her first time at Allison's house have to be with her looking this bad? "Why do I even care," Toni asked herself out loud. Still, she grabbed a brush from her purse and did what she could to her hair. She washed her face with a rag and applied some moisturizer. She was naturally pretty so it was passable. Toni looked at a gorgeous cream-colored clock on the bathroom wall. 1:05 pm. Still Thanksgiving Day. Toni took one last deep breath. "Eat and keep your mouth shut." 

She left the bathroom and joined the tour just as they were going upstairs. Every room, every inch of the house was well-thought out and tastefully decorated. Toni was hoping Allison's house would be some cold, modern box that emphasized style over heart, but it wasn't. It was definitely expensive, huge and modern, but very warm and inviting. A truly elegant home. In the brief seconds they were in Allison's huge bedroom, Toni couldn't keep her eyes off the bed for some reason. A huge, king-sized throne with brown silk sheets and beautiful decorative pillows. And for the briefest of moments, an image flashed in Toni's mind of Allison making love in that bed. Forget love, actual fucking. Downright, animalistic fucking. She imagined just seeing her backside as she thrust and grinded the hell out of the faceless figure underneath her. The thought sent an intense shiver straight to Toni's pussy. Where the hell did that come from? she asked herself. Toni felt her face getting flushed and went to exit the room before anyone noticed. But she when she looked up, Allison was staring straight at her. Smirk in place. Almost as if she knew exactly what Toni was thinking. Toni rushed out of the room and down the stairs as fast as she could.

For the next half hour, the rest of Allison's guest arrived. Allison went to put the finishing touches on the dining table. Toni gazed at the family pictures Allison had around her living room, while everyone else made small talk. The pictures of a younger Allison were absolutely adorable, but even then, that arrogance was there on her face. Toni moved to get a closer look at a picture of Allison on the mantel. She was with an older woman who was her spitting gorgeous image, probably her mother, and a young special needs child. Allison was holding the child very protectively and smiling at the camera. It was the first time the arrogance was gone. Allison finally came in and announced it was time to eat. "Finally," Derrick said. 

Everyone made their way into the large dining room and stopped short. It was immaculate. "Wow, you really outdid yourself, Allison," Cynthia said. The huge, donabella dining table looked like it had been prepared for a royal banquet. The food was carefully laid out in an abundance of browns, yellows, reds, and orange. The dishes were fine china and there was a beautiful, handmade Cornucopia as the center piece. Toni could not believe Allison did all this herself. "You cooked all of this?" Cynthia asked as she helped the kids into their seats. "My mom came over with my niece yesterday and helped with the cooking, but it was pretty much me. Now everyone sit down." The guests took their seats. "This deserves a picture," Derrick said as he took out his phone and snapped a picture of the table. "Everyone will know my Thanksgiving was good." He laughed as he pulled out his wife's chair and then sat next to her. 

The table was covered with food. Golden buttered corn, two beautifully browned juicy big hens, ham, creamy mashed potatoes, both collard and turnip greens, seasoned green beans, cabbage, macaroni with the melted cheese still simmering and little bits of meat, yams, dressing, buttered rolls that had been browned to perfection and other things. Toni, who had not eaten since 6 pm the previous day, felt her mouth watering. 

"Allison, you really outdid yourself. This is wonderful," Vanessa said. Everyone started to agree in unison. Everyone, but Toni. It really was extravagant, but she didn't want to give Allison the satisfaction. She could feel Allison's eyes on her. Looking at her expectantly. Just looking for a compliment, Toni thought to herself. Wants me to acknowledge yet another thing she does better than me. I won't do it, Toni said to herself as she walked right by an empty seat next to Allison towards one all the way down at the end of the table. If Toni didn't know better, she thought Allison had set it up for Toni to sit next to her during the meal. Probably just to intimidate me. Make me feel uncomfortable the whole night, Toni thought. She wouldn't let her do it. Derrick and Vanessa's son, Micah, was about to help himself into the seat Toni was heading towards. Toni made a mad dash for it, almost knocking the small boy off his feet. "So sorry," she said rubbing his back and pushing him towards Allison. "Don't you want to sit next to your Aunt Allison," Toni asked him sweetly. She knew it was childish and felt bad, but she was trying to survive at this point. "Okay," Micah replied, probably confused as to why he wouldn't be sitting next to his own parents. Sweetly, he went to sit next to Allison as she helped into the seat. Allison kept her eyes on Toni the entire time. Smugness in check. Toni fumed.

After Derrick said the blessing, the food began to be served. Everyone immediately commented on how wonderful the food tasted. Toni rolled her eyes inward. Did this woman need yet more compliments on how perfect and wonderful she was? "Toni, why aren't you eating?" Cynthia said loud enough for everyone to pause and look at Toni's empty plate. "Try the macaroni. It's one of your favorites and Allison's is one of the best I ever tasted." Toni took the tiniest spoonful of macaroni she could and put it on to her plate. She took a small bite. Damn it was good. Possibly the one of the best things she ever put in her mouth. She could test the blend of several different cheeses. All eyes were on her. Toni looked at Allison. She would not give her the satisfaction. "Meh, it's alright," Toni answered. Everyone shrugged and went back to their plates. Toni went through the rest of the meal like this. Taking small bites here and there as if the food was mediocre. Truth is everything was absolutely delicious. She could have eaten the entire serving of the macaroni and greens by herself...straight from the serving dish if no one was looking...with her hands if it really came down to it.

Throughout the meal, Toni looked at everyone having a good time and enjoying their Thanksgiving. She wanted to the same and not let Allison get to her. She was about to let down her guard and go for a big slice of hen when Allison started. "How is work going, Toni?" she asked. 

"Fine." 

A knot started to form in Toni's stomach. "I heard they had you working early this morning. Not sure about all that time and energy for a bunch of misfits if they are not going to pay you what you're worth. You should advocate for yourself better." That did it. The next hour was spent with Toni and Allison going back and forth about public policy, government funding, welfare, and adequate sanctions for juveniles. They talked across the table among everyone else who was engaged in proper Thanksgiving talk such as reality shows, black Friday shopping, and football. 

Toni was in full battle mode by the time dessert was served. Cynthia asked Vanessa to help her and Allison bring out all the traditions-cherry pie, apple pie, two sweet potato pies, peach cobbler, vanilla ice cream, and a chocolate cake. Derrick whistled. "Allison, you outdid yourself," he said as he cut into the peach cobbler and topped it with the ice cream. "This is good, Ms. Allison," Dasia announced through a mouthful of cherry pie. "Oh, Toni, there is one more just for you," Cynthia said. She went into the kitchen and came back with a beautiful plum pudding. Toni stared at it for a moment completely speechless. She never got homemade plum pudding. Ever. Even though it was her favorite, it was so difficult to prepare. This one looked perfect. Toni felt Allison's eyes on her. Waiting for her to dip in her spoon for a taste. She probably poisoned it Toni thought to herself. Toni took a small portion of the cake and pudding onto her plate and tasted it. Fuck it was good. Best she ever tasted. She could have made love to that plum pudding right there on the table if possible. She finished it hungrily, but would not give Allison the satisfaction of getting another helping even though she could have eaten the entire dessert in one sitting.

After a while, the guests began to take their second helping of dessert into the media room to watch the football game. It was a huge media room with comfortable leather seats, cup holders and a huge theater screen. It was like they were right there on the 50 yard line of the game. By this time, Toni's headache had ballooned to a full blown migraine. She still had not rested and her immaturity at dinner kept her from eating as much as she should have. She brought her purse into the media room to discreetly search for some aspirin. She didn't want to ask out loud for any because there would be more comments about how overworked she was and not taking good care of herself. By this time, Cynthia's husband, Ron, had finished performing his surgery and joined them at the house. He was happily eating his Thanksgiving dinner in the media room while watching the game. 

After a few more hours, lots of laughter, and a majority of the food gone, the guests began to disperse. Toni's car was blocking Derrick so she grabbed her keys and went to move it. Once she was back inside, she saw Dasia and RJ getting tired and little Marcus was beginning to cry. "I guess it is time for us to go," Cynthia announced. "Allison is in the kitchen fixing plates for us to take home." Music to Toni's ears. "I guess I will head out too," Toni said. There it was. She survived the meal and could go home without looking too bad. She put her keys in her coat pocket and started helping with the kids before getting her purse. "Can you do me a favor?" Cynthia asked as she got the baby bag together and Ron got the kids into their coats. "Sure," Toni said thinking it has something to with the kids. 




The Best Worst Thanksgiving Ever



"Would you mind helping Allison clean up?" Cynthia asked. 

"What?!" Toni could not hide her annoyance. 

"I know it's a lot to ask, but since she did all this cooking."

"She said she didn't need help." 

"I know, but she put so much work into everything. I would stay but the kids are starting to get fussy and we need to get little Marcus down for bed. I can ride with Ron and you have your car." 

"But she said she didn't need help," Toni whined again. Now ordinarily Toni would have gladly volunteered on her own to help the hostess with any cleanup necessary, but this was no ordinary situation. 

"Come on, Toni, you know it's the right thing to do. What is going on with you? I know you're tired, but please. For me. I would feel bad with all of us leaving without helping." 

"But she said she didn-"

"Antoinette Davies!"

"Ok, ok," Toni reluctantly agreed. Allison walked in with two bags filled with plastic containers and handed them to Ron. Everyone said their goodbyes as the family went to the door. "Toni agreed to help you stay and clean up," Cynthia told Allison. 

"But only if you need it," Toni rushed to say." "I know you were saying you didn't need help so you probably don't and I can just go."

Allison looked her up and down. "You know I think I will take you up on the offer." 

Fuck.

"It would make the clean-up go faster," Allison said with that smug smile. Of course Toni thought to herself. Just wants to torture me. Cynthia gave Toni a warm hug and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Toni. For everything. Now don't leave too late. It's going to rain and the ice on the roads will be really bad."

Toni hugged the rest of the family, kissed the baby, and watched them leave and get buckled up into the car. As the car backed down the driveway, she suddenly felt trapped like a prisoner. Completely on display for Allison's scrutiny. She closed the door and turned to see Allison staring right at her. Smug look in check. Allison walked to the door, set the alarm, and walked right past Toni. "Come to the kitchen," she commanded as she left the room. Toni cringed. Just help her and leave Toni told herself as she walked towards the kitchen. 

The next hour was spent with Allison giving orders about dishes and covering up food and Toni complying. It was taking much longer than it should and Toni would swear Allison was just trying to keep her there for whatever reason. Just trying to make me miserable, Toni thought. Toni was just grinning and baring it, while telling herself she could go home soon. That is until they got on the subject of work again and then Allison made a comment about Toni's car. "You know the roads will be getting pretty bad and you do have those awful tires on that small car of yours. Plus, your coat is not really for this kind of weather. I know you may not be able to afford such things with what you let them get away with paying you." 

That did it. As much as she was trying to leave the evening cordial, it was not going to happen. Toni blew a gasket. "That's it!" Toni threw down the Tupperware bowl she was holding and stormed out of the kitchen into the living room. "You know what, I don't need your constant damn comments about my coat and car and the way I dress and my job. We can't all be as perfect as you, Allison!" Toni was fuming. She ran to the coat rack and angrily grabbed her coat off the rack. Allison stood in the doorway of the foyer. Not saying anything. She just had the same smug look on her face with her arms crossed. This made Toni even madder. She was so angry she could not get her coat on properly. First, she tried putting it on, but the sleeves were in opposite directions. Then it was backwards. Next, she just got completely tangled up in it and couldn't find her way out. It was a scene straight out of a comedy and Toni would have even found it funny had she not been the shining star. But Allison found it funny. She let a few giggles slip out. Toni became incensed. 

"Oh, this is funny to you?" Toni finally relented wearing the coat inside out. She took the keys out of the pocket and stomped angrily to the front door. 

"The roads are getting really bad out there, Toni. Your car is not-" 

"You know what, fuck you Allison!" Toni yelled angrily. No, my car is not as fancy as yours. Not everyone can be perfect like you with your big house, and pretty brown dress, and your hot body-" Shit, Toni thought. Did she really just say that out loud? Allison said nothing, just raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. 

"I like my job, and yes its hard work, but it's important. And I don't have to have new things or make a lot of money to be happy. And you just can't get that can you?! And you know why, Allison? Because you have to have a heart to understand it! You know what a heart is, Allison? It's supposed to go in the same place that lump of coal sitting in your chest resides!" The words were coming out so fast and angry Toni was not even aware of half of what she was saying. "You're a heartless bitch, Allison. A cold, money-obsessed, critical, heartless bitch!" 

With that, Toni jerked open the front door. BEEP BEEP BEEP. The front door alarm started blaring loudly. Allison calmly went over to close the door and disarm the code. It silenced immediately. She shook her head and was beginning to arm it again when Toni rushed past her, jerked open the front door again, and stomped outside. She was greeted by a dramatic change in the weather since the last time they looked outside. Light sleet was falling and the street looked slick and nasty. 

"Toni-" 

"I don't want to hear anything from you ever again, Toni yelled." With that Toni turned, stomped forward, and SLIPPED right down the front steps. It was a hard fall with her landing in a pile of slush. "Damn." Toni tried to get up but kept slipping and sliding back down. Every time she got her footing, she slipped right back down. Up. Slip. Up. Slip. Again, something out of a slapstick comedy. Although, not funny to Toni. She braced herself as she finally gained her footing and half walked, half slid her way to her car. She knew she would be painfully bruised in the morning. Before getting in she looked back at Allison. It could have been a look of concern on her face or smugness. Toni took it as smugness. Toni flipped her off, got in the car, and turned the ignition ready to gun it out of there. The car wouldn't start. It sputtered a few times, but would not turn over. If her behavior wasn't a complete embarrassment for her, this was. Toni stole a peak at Allison through the window. She was just standing in the same spot. Enjoying the show. She just wants to see me act a fool Toni said to herself. "And you're making it easy for her," came the response from Toni's conscience, which she ignored, and started pumping the gas pedal to get the car started. 

"Come on, come on," she said to the car as she turned the ignition once more. It finally started. "Hah." Toni flipped Allison off again and pressed on the gas. It lurched forward, slid on some ice and ran smack into Allison's fancy Keystone mailbox. "Shit!" For a brief moment, Toni felt guilty. She was mad, but never wanted to damage anyone's property. She had knocked the mailbox completely down. As she backed up, she could hear the metal grinding under her car. "I can't believe this!" She thought about getting out. She looked out the window at Allison. Still in the same spot with her arms folded. This got Toni's anger riled up again. I will just mail her a check Toni thought to herself. It may set her back a few months' pay, but anything to never have to see or speak to that woman ever again. 

With that, Toni threw manners and good sense to the side and peeled off onto the icy, slick streets. She flipped off the Auburn Heights' sign she passed coming in earlier. "Fuck you, Auburn Heights. You will never see me here again around your rich snobby asses." Toni had no idea where this was coming from. She never judged or put people in any type of categories, poor, rich, or whatever. In fact, many of the holiday donations, adopt-a family participants, and other community contributions for the Hope's Heart agency came from people with an Auburn Heights zip code. 

But Toni was angry. Angrier than she remembered ever being. So with that anger, she drove onto the freeway on-ramp going much faster than she should have been with the slick, icy roads. There were no other cars on the road, which caused her to go faster. The more Toni thought about Allison and the evening, the angrier she got and the faster she drove. Suddenly, WHAM! Toni's car hit an ice patch which caused her to skid wildly. Unprepared, Toni panicked and over-corrected, which caused the car to spin out of control all over the road. Toni was terrified and felt helpless and unable to get control of the car. The car spun wildly a few more times then landed deep in a thick snow bank causing Toni to hit her head hard against the steering wheel. 

For a brief moment she was dazed and then came to. She touched her forehead and saw a spot of blood when she pulled her hand away. Toni looked out the window. She was deeply entrenched in the snow bank. At least the car is still running she thought to herself. After taking a moment to gather herself, she pressed on the gas and heard the wheels just spinning. She pressed again, but the wheels just spun and the car did not move. "Shit." Toni opened the door and hopped out. The cold air hit her like a right hook. She pulled on her pitiful coat. It was too thin like Allison said. Allison. Just thinking of the name ignited Toni's anger all over again. It was that anger that motivated her into thinking she could push the car out of the snow bank. She pushed from the back, grunting and straining with her efforts. The car didn't budge. She tried pushing it in drive, neutral, and reverse from the front and the back, that car was not moving. Toni looked up and down the desolate highway. No one would be coming by on Thanksgiving night, especially in the freezing cold and when others had the good sense to stay put when there was bad ice on the road. 

Exhausted and drained, Toni was walking to the back of the car to try and push again when she suddenly stepped in a big hole covered by snow. "Ahh!" Toni twisted her ankle and tripped. She fell and rolled down the snowy hill and landed hard in a giant, deep puddle of dirty, grimy water and ice. The cold water was like a shock to Toni's system. After a few tries, she managed to climb out of the puddle and struggled to make her way back up the snowy hill. Her efforts were further hindered by her now heavy, sodden, freezing wet clothes and a right leg that was searing with pain around the knee area.

Toni got into her car, slammed the door, and put the heat on full blast. It didn't do much with her sitting in the heavy freezing clothes. Her right leg was throbbing. She wanted to look at it but it was too difficult and cold to move with the freezing clothes. The last thing she needed out on the highway alone and stuck was to get injured. She would have to call somebody. She did have AAA. She really hated to bring somebody else out in this bad weather because of her foolishness, but she had no choice. She felt like a block of ice in the wet clothes. She reached in the back to get her phone out of her purse. Her purse. As she looked at the empty backseat, an image of her purse sitting on the floor of Allison's media room flashed in her mind. 

"Shit, shit, shit!" Toni screamed. Then the gas light came on. The heat would not last for long. Toni sat there with her freezing wet clothes, cut forehead, and whatever was going on with her leg and breathed heavily. Then, for the second time that night, Toni Davies lost it. She started banging on the steering wheel hard with her hands and fists. It was hurting and would probably cause some bruising, but Toni didn't care. She was in a rage. First, it was about Allison and how hard she was on Toni which landed her in this situation. Then it became less about Allison and more about her life in general. Here she was 31, alone and unhappy. She poured so much time and energy into a job she loved, but drained everything from her. The failure of her relationships, the inability to connect. Being used by her family, all that time wasted with Greg. Always unhappy. It wasn't supposed to be like this. She did everything right. Everything. Gave her aunt no trouble, got good grades, went to college, avoided the early pregnancy and criminal pitfalls that seemed beholden to the girls in her poverty stricken neighborhood. And it was all for nothing because here she was alone on the side of the road while everyone else were in their homes and enjoying the holiday with people who loved them. She felt completely alone. To truly feel loved by anyone was an aching desire for her and felt her only chance was gone when her Aunt died. 

Toni continuously hit the steering wheel, her body racked with uncontrollable sobs. She finally stopped when she lost all energy to keep hitting. She knew the car would run out of gas soon and didn't know if she could last until someone came by. She thought about walking back to a gas station but didn't remember seeing one open and couldn't chance it with her wet clothes and hurt leg. Completely exhausted and out of ideas, Toni put her arms on the steering wheel and rested her throbbing head. 

Several moments later, Toni awoke to a bright beam of light shining from outside directly into her face. She tried covering her eyes. She heard knocking at the window and could see the outline of a large man. Scared, Toni looked around for a weapon, but couldn't locate one. The man knocked again. Toni saw flashing blue and red lights behind her and looked in the rearview mirror to see a huge truck and police car parked behind her. Toni let the window down. "Good evening Ma'am. I'm Officer Ben Miller. You alright in there?" Toni just nodded, still in a daze. "This is Tim," Officer Miller said pointing to a large man in a ball cap. "He's going to get you out." Tim backed up and looked at the car. "Wow, you're really stuck in there, huh? Your friend said you would be out here. Let's see what we can do."

Close to an hour later Toni found herself in the passenger seat of Tim's massive tow truck with her car on the back as they traveled at a snail's back down the icy freeway. As Toni sat in her wet clothes, in pain, and enduring the smelly remnants of Tim's Thanksgiving meal coming out in gassy emissions from both ends, she wondered just how this day could possibly get any worse. She needed to learn to stop asking that question. Toni had been in such a daze that it had not dawned on her before that they were going in the wrong direction.

"Hey, I'm in Oakville," Toni said. Tim looked down at his metal clip board. "Well it would be an added cost to go different from what is on the paper." Different from what was on the paper? That mean she was heading back to- 

"No!" Toni yelled and giving Tim a scare. "Just please take me home. I will pay whatever-" Toni began before remembering where her purse was. "Shit!" 

"What now, ma'am?!" 

"Nothing, sorry," Toni replied as she sat back and endured the misery. She glanced at Tim's dashboard clock. 6:12pm. Still Thanksgiving Day. This day would not end. 

When they finally took the Auburn Heights exit, a knot formed in Toni's stomach. When they came upon the familiar Auburn Heights sign that Toni flipped off earlier and vowed never to see again, the knot grew tighter. Tim whistled. "Nice neighborhood." Toni was beyond embarrassed as the big loud truck with her beat-up car on the back made its way up the street of the posh neighborhood. Some of the residents, who endured the weather to hang their Christmas lights outside, looked at the offending monstrosity as it made its way past them. A call came in on Tim's radio as they neared Allison's street. 

Toni barely registered the conversation as her panic grew when they got closer to Allison's house. Once on her street, Toni knew there were no words to describe how humiliated she felt coming back to Allison's house with her car on a tow truck after she had behaved so badly before tearing out of there earlier. 

"2019," Tim said as he looked for Allison's house. "The house is that one on the hill," Toni pointed out begrudgingly. "Ohh, that is a nice one. Nicest one I've seen." Toni cut her eyes at him. 

As they neared the house, Toni got desperate. "Look Tim. My purse is in that house. I can run in, grab it, and pay you to take me back home. Or even the nearest hotel. I will pay whatever." "Can't do it ma'am," Tim replied. "Got another call. Besides, it's not good to run back and forth on the roads in this kind of weather. If you have got a safe place to stay, its best to stay put." Toni let out a long, nervous sigh. Fuck.

As they got closer, Toni was surprised to see Allison standing on the front steps. She would have thought she had never went inside from the time Toni tore out of there earlier, but her clothes were different. Tim maneuvered the truck near Allison's driveway and hopped out to unload the car. Toni didn't move. She wasn't intending to get out if she could help it. She didn't want to, but she stole a peak at Allison. Gone was the smirk smile and smugness. Allison looked pissed. Real pissed. Toni's knot tightened. How did she always seem to get herself into these experiences? 

Tim finished unloading her car faster than any tow truck driver Toni had ever known and came around to her door. He opened it and held his hand out. Reluctantly, Toni climbed down. Tim gave her a smile as he headed up to Allison and gave her a jolly greeting, completely unaware of the strong tension between the two women. He showed Allison a screen on his card reader. "The car was stuck a lot deeper than we thought. Took additional time and so it will be an extra $155.00. Allison handed him are card. Toni's guilt and humiliation increased and kept her frozen in her spot instead of volunteering to get her purse and pay Tim. I will include it in the check for the mailbox Toni said to herself. She glanced over at it. It still lay in a mangled heap on the ground. Toni's heart sank. 

"Thanks and have a good night," she heard Tim say to Allison. Heading back down the sidewalk, he looked at Toni and then turned back to Allison. "Keep an eye on this one. She was really trying to get away from here for some reason." Tim laughed at his joke as he nodded at Toni. She could have beaten him over the head with the card reader right there on the driveway. "Have a good night ma'am and stay put." Tim got back into his truck and started the engine. With no other means of stalling, Toni limped the long walk up the driveway to the front door. She felt like she was on her way to the electric chair. Allison stared at her for a moment and then disappeared inside, leaving the front door open. Toni carefully climbed up the same steps she fell down earlier, entered the house, and closed the door. As she stepped further into the foyer, the heat of the house enveloped her like a warm blanket. Damn that feels so good Toni thought to herself. She could smell the wonderful aroma from the Thanksgiving meal earlier. She was starving.

She didn't know where Allison went or what she should do. She wanted get to a bathroom to get those wet clothes off quick. She began walking further into the house. "Stay where you are," she heard Allison yell from somewhere in the house. "I don't want you to get my floors wetter than necessary." Toni stopped in her tracks. She stood there with her head hung low, beyond embarrassed as she dripped dirty snow water, grime, and blood from her leg on Allison's beautiful polished floors. She felt like squeezing her hands as a response to the familiar anxiety, but they hurt too much. Toni looked at them. The knuckles were bruised and swollen from her attack on the steering wheel. Toni could not feel any lower. Allison reappeared with fluffy towels and a robe. Toni stood up straight. "Um, maybe you can put something down so I can get to the bathroom without messing up your floors?" Allison just stared at her. Toni wanted sink right into that well-polished floor. Allison ignored her. She put the robe and towels on the table and came over to Toni. She stood over her just looking her over. She gently touched Toni's forehead where the cut was and shook her head. Then she went to work. 




The Best Worst Thanksgiving Ever



Before Toni knew it, Allison started undressing her. "Your clothes are completely soaked," Allison admonished. "I don't know what the hell you were thinking. You could have gotten pneumonia out there." Toni was too stunned and embarrassed to say anything and Allison was not waiting for permission. Allison quickly removed the thin coat she found so offensive and tossed it on the floor with a flourish. Next, she went for Toni's blouse. Toni tried to assist, and keep herself covered at the same time, but her hands kept being pushed away. Suddenly her shirt was completely off and Allison was pulling her skirt down. Shit, Toni thought to herself. The situation was bad enough without her standing in her under clothes in front of Allison. She hadn't even put on any nice lacey ones. Umm...not that that should matter she told herself. "Allison, I can just go the bathroo-"

"Step out," Allison commanded with Toni's skirt around her ankles. Like a child, Toni stepped out. "Oh wow," Toni heard Allison exclaim. Afraid Allison was in shock over her Granny panties, Toni looked down to see Allison staring at her leg. There was a deep nasty gash running from the middle of her knee down to the top of her leg. Allison grabbed one of the towels and dabbed at it. "It doesn't need stitches, but it's pretty deep. Need to get it cleaned up." Toni didn't realize until it was too late that her panties were being pulled down. Her hands quickly covered her pussy area. Allison seemed not to notice. She stood up and expertly unclasped Toni's bra with one hand and released Toni's firm B-cups. There is no way that was her first time doing that Toni thought as she worked to cover her vaginal area with one bruised hand and breasts with the other. It was comical and sad at the same time. Toni tensed up as Allison stood directly in front of her hand and reached for chest. What the hell? Allison gently lifted Toni's hand from her breasts. "What happened to your hands?" she asked. Allison looked genuinely worried. It threw Toni for a loop and she momentarily forgot that her breasts were exposed. "Oh, I um... fell on them. Um...several times," Toni lied as she covered her breasts again. Allison just shook her head and then gave Toni a towel and the robe. 

Toni put them on while Allison gathered her soiled clothing. "Follow me," she commanded. Toni followed like a little child. Toni thought she would be going to one of the guest bathrooms and was surprised when Allison led her upstairs and down the hall to Allison's bedroom that they were in earlier. Inside the expansive dark room, Allison cut the bathroom light on and started the shower. Toni came inside. "There is plenty of shampoo and body wash you can use and extra towels in the cabinet. I will try and wash whatever is salvageable from your clothing, but I am telling you now that this wannabe coat is going in the garbage. I will go find something for you to wear." Allison gave her one last look before leaving and closing the door behind her. Toni hung her head as she took off her robe. This would definitely go down as one of the worst nights of her life. She felt so humiliated. Just when she thought Allison could not think any less of her.

Toni looked at herself in the mirror. She was bruised and scraped, her hair was all over her head, and her forehead was swollen with a small cut. What a day. And that was just the physical part. She saw the huge shower stall behind her in the mirror beckoning for her. It was one of those fancy ones with several strong jets spraying out all at once. Toni hopped in and turned them on. As the warm water spread over her body, Toni could not remember anything feeling so good. She poured out some body wash. It looked expensive, one of those custom made kind tailored for the holidays. Toni took a whiff. It smelled divine, like a light pumpkin and vanilla mix. She spread it all over and then used the matching shampoo on her hair. Toni did not know how long she was in the shower when she emerged, but she felt much better. 

Wiping the steam off the window she started at a face that always mesmerized her after getting out of the shower. Despite a horrible evening, she still had that fresh scrubbed look. She looked ten years younger than she was. Always had. She inspected the cut on her forehead. Her natural hair spread out in curly spirals all over her head. Those B-cup breasts with thick gumdrop nipples stood high and firm. Toni looked at the rest of her body. She had lost weight everywhere but her ass which stood round and high. Gathering a towel around her, Toni slowly opened the door and peered into the bedroom. She was still afraid of facing Allison's impending wrath, but the bedroom was empty. Toni looked around for the clothes Allison was going to leave out. Not seeing anything at all she sat on the bed. She didn't want to go ask and certainly wasn't going through her drawers. The hot water from the shower reminded her of her exhaustion. I'm not going to sleep Toni told herself. The last thing she wanted was for Allison to see her sprawled out naked in a towel and snoring with her mouth open. I will just sit here and wait for the clothes Toni thought. 

Two hours later, Toni awoke in a panic. She was coming out of the throes of a nightmare. She was back on the highway. Her car careening widely on the icy road, but this time there was no snow bank to break her speed. The car tumbled over the side of the road and kept rolling and rolling. Toni tried to shake off the dream. Her heart beat rapidly and she was sweating. She looked around the dark, unfamiliar room and for a moment, did not know where she was. She blinked a few times and it all came back to her. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 9:10pm. Still Thanksgiving Day. Damn she thought. Then something occurred to her. She reached up and felt a small bandage on her forhead. Toni looked down. She had been snugly tucked into the bed covers. Pulling them back, she saw a big white t-shirt on her with a Yale logo on it. Further down, she saw her right leg had been expertly adorned with a large gauze bandage. The familiar humiliation sank in. Now Allison had seen all her goods on display with her completely unconscious. I wonder what she thought of my body Toni asked herself before admonishing herself for the thought. 

She took a deep sniff and inhaled the lingering smell from the Thanksgiving dinner. Her mouth started watering. She was torn between going back to sleep and avoiding Allison or going to get something to eat. Hunger won out and moments later, Toni was limping down the stairs with a robe on. As she entered the foyer, she could see Allison in the living room. She was standing behind the couch looking at a football game on her huge flat screen. She was speaking into an earpiece and holding a football in her hand. She had changed clothes again. This time she was standing barefoot in short denim shorts that accentuated her nice ass. Toni admired the way the full firm globes settled nicely into the shorts. Damn that is a nice ass, Toni thought. Wait, why I am I thinking this she said to herself. Allison had on a white tank top covering parts of a large back tattoo peeking out of the sides. The tattoo was surprising, but really hot. Damn she looks sexy Toni thought. Always does whether in a power suit, silk dress, or shorts and a tank top. Allison was goading whoever she was talking to on the phone. "Brown is the best receiver in the league right now and he hands it off to that other guy?! What the hell are they doing? Yeah, well I'm going to be pissed if my team loses on Thanksgiving and it costs me $500.00. Yeah, whatever." 

Allison seemed to sense she was being watched and turned around to see Toni standing there watching her like she had just escaped from lock-up. Toni realized how weird she looked and started looking at pictures on the walls, which made her look even weirder. "Call you back, Tate." Allison took the ear piece out and started toward the kitchen without looking at Toni. "I will fix you a plate," she said. Toni followed her into the kitchen. All the leftover food was out and Allison busily made a plate and heated it up. Toni got up to help, but Allison waved her off. She brought the plate and a cool glass of the homemade punch she made from earlier. Toni dove in. She couldn't remember when food tasted so good. She was so embarrassed by the way she acted earlier. She looked over at Allison who seemed to be preparing more punch. "Oh, you don't have to," Toni said. Allison ignored her and went about making the punch. Toni ate and ate. Because of her behavior earlier and a lack of not eating much over the last few weeks, she was starving. She was halfway through her second plate before she started slowing down. 

During all of this, Allison would come in and out from watching her football game. She never said anything to Toni, but made sure her plate and drink were constantly refilled. While in the living room, Toni heard Allison make a huge yelp and then came back smiling with the ear piece on. "See, that's how it goes Tate. Never call it until it's over. You owe me $500.00. Yeah, whatever, just pay up." Allison took out the ear piece and then went to the fridge to take out what little was left of the cherry pie. She placed it on a plate and came and sat at the table with Toni. Toni took a deep breath. She had been avoiding this, but knew it had to be said. She tried breaking the ice. "Glad your team won." Allison just glanced at her, took a bite of her pie, and said nothing. Toni took another deep breath. "Look, Allison I want to thank you for putting me up like this. I hope I'm not disturbing your evening. And I want to apologize for the way I acted earlier. I shouldn't have said those things. Not sure what came over me. I will pay you back for it all. The tow truck and the..um..mailbox." Toni tried to gauge her reaction, but she was a mask like always. 

Allison just looked at her then her plate. "Are you finished?" "Yes," Toni said confused. "You want some of your plum pudding?" "Oh, yes. It was so good, but I can get it." Toni limped her empty plate to the sink and then opened the fridge for the pudding. She saw the one from earlier with a small portion missing and then another one in a container untouched. Toni grabbed the first bowl. "You made two plum puddings?" she asked. They are so hard to make. Why you go through the trouble of making two if I am the only one who likes them? After spooning a huge helping, Toni made her way back to the table. Allison just shrugged and ignored the question. "How is your leg feeling?" "Oh, much better. Thank you," Toni said as her face reddened at the thought of Allison seeing her naked while asleep. "I guess I was pretty knocked out," Toni said embarrassed. "Yes, you were." 

Toni took a bite of pudding. Damn it was good. "Was that your mother and niece in the photo on the mantle?" Toni asked. "Yes," came the curt reply. "My mom, Terri, and my niece, Jasmine. They were supposed to come for Thanksgiving, but Jasmine wasn't feeling too well."

"Your mom takes care of her?" Toni asked. 

"Yes, she gave up her job to care for her full time. I take care of their medical expenses and rent them a home in Willow. They were supposed to move in here when I first bought the house. That's why I bought one so big. I wanted there to be plenty of room for Jasmine's therapy and medical equipment. And I wanted my mom to be comfortable." Allison finished the last of her pie. "But they decided to stay in Willow to be close to Jasmine's doctors."

"And her mother?" Toni asked. She knew was prying, but wanted to know.

Allison took a deep breath. She obviously didn't want to talk about it. "When my older sister was pregnant, she was attacked by a group of teenagers walking to her apartment one night. They planned on just robbing her, but she fought back because that's who she was. It got them angry. They beat her with metal bats right there on the street. She was on life support for three days before she died. Jasmine was lucky to survive at all. She was born three months early with severe brain damage."

"How horrible. I am so sorry," Toni said. Her eyes tearing up.

"Well it made us a stronger family. We really had to come together. Because they were juveniles they only got sentenced to juvenile detention and released when they were 18. It didn't really feel like justice. That's what drove me so hard. To go to college, finish law school, work hard. Make something of myself in Robin's name." 

Toni had never seen Allison this vulnerable. "Wow," Toni said. "Explains a lot. Why you give me such a hard time about working with the kids." Allison raised an eyebrow at her. She grabbed both of their plates and took them to the sink. "I never put you down for working with children or anything about what you do at your job. I admire what you do and your passion for it. You're the type that is the beating heart of the world. Reminds us of our humanity." Allison came and sat back down. "But you can't let them walk all over you because you have a giving heart. You have to take care of yourself as well." Toni sat there stunned. She had never heard Allison speak this kindly to her or be this soft. As if she was aware of it, Allison quickly stood up and went into bossy mode again. "Come into the living room. There is probably a movie on."

Toni followed her into the living room and they sat and watched a holiday movie. Toni kept stealing glances at Allison. So poised, calm, and cool. Toni could not figure this woman out for the life of her. She was this enigma of different personalities. Hard, but soft. Cool, but very caring underneath. Totally focused on you one minute, but you didn't exist in the next. Or at least that was how she portrayed it. 

Stuffed full of food, coupled with still feeling exhausted, and the warmth of the house, Toni began nodding off. "You should go back to bed," Allison said. Toni didn't think she was even paying attention to her. 

"I'm ok." 

You're tired and still need some rest. Go back to bed." 

The boss is back Toni thought. Toni reluctantly got up and limped back up the stairs to the bedroom. She knew the two reasons why she was reluctant. First, she didn't want to leave Allison. Just like always, even though they were always conflicting, Toni was somehow always drawn to her. Even more so after their conversation and seeing Allison's vulnerable side. The other reason she didn't want to go back to sleep was the fear of having another nightmare. It was awful, and Toni did not want to experience it again. 

Once she made her way back into the big room she felt isolated and the familiar loneliness settled in again. For some reason, her mind went back to Allison like it always did. Toni didn't know what was happening. 

Suddenly, a distant memory came into her mind. One she had buried far away a long time ago. She was in her senior year and had become close friends with Sierra Winston after they started teaching the children's Sunday school together. They started hanging out all the time, babysat, shopped, did homework together, teased boys. One day in Sierra's room, Toni innocently shared never really liking kissing boys. Sierra said maybe she would like kissing girls better and landed a soft, delicate peck right on Toni's lips. Toni was in absolute shock, but something happened in that moment. Very briefly, it all came clear. What happiness could look like, what real desire was, what actually felt normal. From then on, her and Sierra would steal kisses from each other from time to time when they were alone together and no one could see. It never went beyond that, but the kisses were so soft and sweet and awoke something in Toni she did not know existed. 

One day she tried to broach the subject with her Aunt Mattie. It was quickly stopped by a lecture on just being confused and resisting the temptation of sin. Not wanting to disappoint the only person in her life who took real care of her, Toni never brought it up again. It was the only thing she could never talk about with her Aunt. Word got back to Sierra's mother and they were restricted from seeing each other alone. The friendship eventually just fell apart with Sierra graduating and moving out of the city. Last Toni heard she was married to her husband of 10 years and had four kids. Toni had pushed the memories from those events far back into her mind and they had not come out again. Until she met Allison. Even though most of their time together was spent arguing, her time with Allison awakened the same desire, need, and search for happiness all those years ago. 

That is it, Toni told herself as tears began to flow down her face. That is why you fight with her all the time. Why you claim to dislike her so much. You want her and can't have her. There is no way she would ever want you and you're too much of a coward about who you really are even if she did want you. The tears flowed even harder. Like before, it became less about Allison and more about how she was screwing up her life not being who she really was. Toni was deep in sobs and a runny nose when Allison suddenly came into the room. Toni quickly tried to hide her face and ran into the bathroom for tissues. She closed the door. Shit, shit, shit, she said to herself. The last thing she ever wanted was for Allison Conway to see her crying. Probably saw it as a sign of weakness, Toni thought. Allison knocked on the door. "Are you alright, Toni?" she asked.

"Just fine. Be out in a minute." Toni wiped her tears and stood looking in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy. Allison probably thought she was a complete idiot. Toni knew she couldn't stay in the bathroom the entire night. Maybe she left she thought to herself. Who wants be around some grown woman sniveling like a baby? Toni put her ear to the door. While encouraged she didn't hear anything, she knew how pathetic it looked. She opened the door and slowly walked back into the bedroom. Allison was sitting right on the bed looking at her. "Are you sure you're alright, Toni?" Allison maintained that cool, calm, posture but sounded concerned. 

"I'm fine," Toni said as she went and sat on the bed.

"Why do I have the feeling that even if you were not fine, you would never say it to anyone? Just keep it all inside." Toni looked at her in shock. Always amazed at her ability to instantly cut right to the quick of her. 

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Allison demanded.

Toni decided to tell half of the truth. "I was just remembering a nightmare I had a when I was sleeping before. It was about the car accident. Kind of afraid of going back to sleep. I know it sounds stupid, but this whole day has been stupid. I am an idiot with the way I left your house earlier, and then I could have died out there. And it was so cold. And I was so terrified. And I didn't want to show up my first time at your house looking like this." Toni knew she was blabbing, but couldn't stop. She was becoming short of breath and tears flowed non-stop. She finally stopped talking and just sat there sniveling. She wanted to crawl under the bed. Or better yet, jump out the window. 

Allison just looked at her a good while. She didn't say anything. She finally got up and walked to her dresser. "Did you use the holiday shampoo for your shower?"

What the hell? Toni was thrown by the off the wall question. "Um...yes, it was nice."

"What about the oil?" Allison held up an expensive looking bottle of oil." If you heat it up and put it on your body, it feels amazing. Very calming." Allison brought it over and put it under Toni's nose.

"Mmmm" Toni said. It had a spicy pumpkin and vanilla smell. It was heavenly. "I will have to try it sometime." 

"Why not now?" Allison went to her dresser and poured some of the oil in a little burner. Quickly getting it heated. She poured some in a small jar and walked over to Toni. 




The Best Worst Thanksgiving Ever



"Lie down."

"Um...what?" Toni asked surprised. 

Just lie down," Allison said softly. 

While a little scared about what was coming next, Toni sat down on the bed and laid down. 

"On, your stomach," Allison said in that firm voice of hers. Toni complied and rolled onto her stomach.

Nervous, Toni kept shifting around until she felt the bed sink down from Allison sitting next to her. She watched as Allison dipped her long brown fingers one by one into the warm oil. It smelled incredible. Next, she rubbed it firmly between her hands and stared at Toni. "Are you ready?" 

"Sssure," Toni said without being exactly sure what she was agreeing to do.

What she felt next was divine. Allison started with her neck. Using both hands, she delicately placed her fingers on the sides of Toni's neck and began messaging the oil into them. Then she started rubbing the back of her neck. It felt heavenly. Next, she lightly traced a finger from Toni's neck to her collar bone.

"We need to get this off," was all Toni heard before she felt her T-shirt being lifted off her body. With no inhibitions left, she quickly assisted Allison and yanked it completely off in one move. She hurriedly laid back down. Allison put more oil onto her fingers and massaged her way down Toni's back. Deep, yet soft strokes all down her back. Toni's eyes rolled back in pleasure. Allison kept rubbing her way down until her thumbs reached the soft part where the split in Toni's ass began. Toni stiffened. Was this really happening? It was. Allison got more oil and then rubbed her way down Toni's ass cheeks. She rubbed deep, yet gently all the way down Toni's firm ass. She did it in such a way that her hands massaged Toni's butt cheeks while her thumbs slid up and down the crack of Toni's ass. Toni moaned in pleasure. Nothing had ever felt that physically good. No one had ever touched her like that. 

"Just relax," Allison said. "You're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you." While her heart was still beating a mile a minute, the rest of Toni was instantly soothed. Allison massaged her ass deeply, applying pressure to both cheeks. Next she moved her way down to the back of Toni's thighs, her calves, and then her feet. She made sure to give all ten toes their due attention. Toni thought nothing could ever feel this good until she heard Allison say, "Now turn over." Delirious with pleasure, Toni slowly rolled onto her back. Allison put more oil on her hands and softly massaged both of Toni's shoulders. Next, she made her way to her breasts at which a sharp intake of breath from Toni could be heard. Allison made sure to massage each breast. Next she got more oil and slathered it on each dark nipple, making them hard and stand at attention. She just sat there playing with Toni's nipples, rolling them around her fingers with the oil. Her eyes never left Toni's.

After a while, she made her way to Toni's stomach and then her thighs. Next, Allison grabbed each of Toni's legs and put them spread eagle. Toni gasped in shock and complete horniness. There she was with her goods on display. She knew her pussy was glistening wet. Allison just stared down at Toni's pussy for a long time. That alone was turning Toni on. There she was completely naked and Allison was still fully clothed. "Mmm, someone really likes this," Allison said as she took a long finger and rubbed it in between Toni's slick folds. She brought it back up wet and held it up to Toni. "See what I mean." Toni could not talk. Allison put the finger in her mouth and sucked the juice off of it. Toni almost came right then and there. "I guess I don't need the oil anymore." Allison dipped a finger into Toni's leaking vaginal opening. She spread the juice between her fingers and then massaged in between her folds. 

Next, she dipped her thumb in the juices and placed it on Toni's clit while sliding the middle finger of her other hand into Toni's vagina. She rubbed the clit with her thumb as she fucked with the finger at the same time. Toni started moaning uncontrollably. Her eyes rolled back in her head. She tried to hang on, but the orgasm hit her hard. Her body shook and she clinched down on Allison's finger. "Aaahhhhh"! She felt the cum run down her thigh and knew it was getting on those expensive silk sheets. Allison didn't waiver. She kept her hands in place right through Toni's orgasm. Toni thought she was going to go insane. She finally stopped shaking. She was reduced down to a few aftershocks and soft whimpers as Allison continued to softly rub her clit. Finally, Allison relented. 

She pierced Toni with those deep, intense brown eyes. "You have made a real mess here. But don't worry. I will clean it for you." Allison moved her position until her face was down between Toni's legs. Toni could not believe it. Allison looked at her one last time before bending her head down and going to work. Toni yelped the moment she felt the wet tongue hit her already dripping pussy. Allison had a tongue like a hurricane. It was strong, firm, and experienced. She licked up every drop of the left over juices from Toni and then ended with sucking on Toni's clit. Toni came in an instant. Her orgasm lasting wave after wave as she thought about her juices spilling into Allison's mouth. Allison held her mouth on to Toni's clit until every last spasm was gone. Toni laid there whimpering for a few minutes and then fell asleep. 

Toni awoke and slowly sat up. She looked around the dark room and blinked. The smell of the burned oil came floating up to her nostrils. She looked down at her naked, glistening body. The stickiness between her legs was undeniable. She flipped on the lamp and looked down at Allison's expensive, brown bed sheets. There were several wet spots all around and Toni tried to pick out which of them were from the oil and which were hers. Did that really just fucking happen, she thought to herself. It was like a wet dream...literally. She looked over at the nightstand. 11:01 pm. Still Thanksgiving Day. Her purse was next to the clock with a handwritten note on it: Call Cynthia. Cynthia! With everything that had transpired in the last few hours, Toni had forgotten to check in with Cynthia. She dug her phone out of her purse and saw that she had several missed calls from her. Toni dialed and Cynthia picked up on the second ring. "Dammit, Toni. Do you know how worried you had all of us?" 

"I know. I'm sorry I didn't call, but thanks for sending the police. How did you know?

"Oh, it wasn't us. It was Allison. She called right after you left. She said you stormed out of her house and left your phone." Toni felt the familiar guilt creep in.

"Well anyway I waited until it was time for you to be home when I started calling your house. Allison kept checking in to see if we had heard anything. After a while she called the highway patrol and insisted that an officer on duty drive down that part of the freeway. She was about to jump in the car and look for you herself, but we all talked her out of it. Including the police."

Toni took all of this in. "Well thank you, and sorry. Didn't want to cause trouble on your Thanksgiving."

"We're just glad you're alright." A pause. "How is it going at Allison's?"

An image of the previous event flashed into Toni's mind. She felt her face flush. "Just fine. Why do you ask," she said quickly.

"Oh, just wondering. Glad you're in a safe place." Another pause. "You really had Allison worried, Toni. She worries about you all of the time. She's always asking about you, how the job is treating you, if you're taking care of yourself, why you've lost so much weight."

Toni started thinking about her past interactions with Allison. What she saw as criticism, judgment, could it really have been concern? She thought back to that time Alison had come over when she had the flu. Although she was fussing at Toni, the entire time she was making her soup, checking the medications, even cleaned the kitchen a little. She kept saying "Toni, you need to take better care of yourself. Passing out is really serious." Toni waved her off at the time, but now noticed actual concern in her voice. Allison ended up staying over two hours and only left when Toni fell asleep.

She thought about the conversation they had just had in the kitchen. Allison had never specifically put down her job or clothes. It was always in the context of the job is taking advantage of her or her coat is not warm enough. Yes, meddling, but also concern. And the many times they had gone out. This beautiful attorney could have been throwing back drinks with the other women, getting down on the dance floor. But no, there she was, spending the night going back and forth with Toni. Always.

"We all love you, Toni." Don't ever forget that. And I know Allison can come on a little strong sometimes, but she means well. Especially with you."

"What do you mean?" 

"Oh, I don't know. Just saying. I will let you get some rest. Call tomorrow. Bye girl."

"Bye, Cynthia."

Toni sat with the phone still in her hands and took a deep breath. 

She wanted to go find Allison. Her body and mind was reeling from pleasure and confusion. They needed to talk...and do some other things. But she needed a shower first. She was really sticky. 

Freshly showered and wearing just the robe this time, Toni crept down the stairs to find Allison. She was in the living room, lying on the couch watching a movie. She didn't even look Toni's way as she entered the room. Strange, Toni thought. She sat down as close as she could get to Allison on the couch. Allison said nothing. Maybe I dreamed last night, Toni thought. She wanted to touch Allison so badly, cuddle up next to her, repay the favor. Whatever it took. She just wanted her, but Allison was not giving any signs that she wanted Toni. "What are you watching?" Toni asked. "Just a movie. About to go off." 

"Oh, well thank you, for, you know..um..calming me down earlier." 

Crickets. 

"So what comes on after this?" 

"After this is time for sleep." Toni gave a nervous giggle. "I just got back up. I wanted to talk-"

" No, we are going to bed." With that, Allison grabbed the remote, cut the TV off, and stood up. "Bedroom. Now." Toni felt her familiar nervousness. What the hell is going on, she thought. 

She meekly limped back to the bedroom behind Allison. When she came in she saw her staring at the soiled sheets. "Um, sorry about." 

Allison ignored her. She walked to the other side of the bed. "Are you feeling better now?" 

"Oh, yes. Thank you. That was...um.. I never-" 

"Well now that you're feeling better, there is another matter to discuss," Allison said as she began to pull her shirt over her head. 

"Oh, there is? What is it?"

"Well there is the matter of you cussing me out in my own house earlier."

Toni gulped. This was not what she was expecting. This was so different than the previous encounter just hours ago. 

"Heartless bitch, I believe is how you referred to me." 

"I apologized for that," Toni said meekly. "I really-" 

"Oh, yes you apologized with your words. But I am a hands on person and need a hands on apology," With that, Allison completely removed her tank top and freed her perfect, firm, round D-cup breasts crowned with hard dark brown nipples. Despite her confusion, Toni felt a strong sensation in her pussy. 

"Get your robe off," Allison commanded as she removed her shorts and thong. She was completely naked and Toni was staring at the firmest, sexiest body she had ever seen up close. Allison's abs were ripped, her things muscular, and her butt firm and round. "Didn't I just tell you to take that robe off?!" Allison yelled. "That's part of your problem. You don't listen."

Toni quickly dropped the robe. Fuck she was turned on. 

Allison walked over and gently, but firmly, pushed Toni down on the bed. Next, Allison flipped Toni over so that she was on her stomach and facing the foot of the bed. Toni looked up at her. Nervous and excited. "This is what you have to know about me, Toni. If someone is my enemy, oh they will know it. But I love even harder. When I love I love very deeply," she said and pierced Toni with those intense bedroom eyes again. "You understand what I am saying?" She had no clue what Allison was talking about. Toni nodded yes. "You need to learn how to let people care for you, Toni. Let them take care of you. Not fight with them all the time." Allison moved some of the pillows around so that she could sit against the massive headboard with the pillows giving her support. Her long legs were stretched out in front of her. "But you are going to learn tonight." 

Next, she reached and grabbed Toni gently by the legs. She was careful to make sure Toni's injured knee was not disturbed. Pulling on both Toni's legs, she carefully placed her over her right leg. Toni was now face down, straddling Allison's right leg with her soaking wet pussy mashed tightly against Allison's thigh. Her butt was on complete display and easily accessible for whatever Allison wanted to do with it. Toni breathed heavily. She could feel her pussy twitching violently against Allison's thigh. Toni had an insatiable desire to grind against it. No longer able to resist, she started to grind before a hard whack came across her left butt cheek. "Did I give you fucking permission to grind against me? This is what I mean. You need a lesson in listening and I am about to give you one." Allison then landed another smack against Toni's right butt cheek. Toni jerked and yelped from surprise, but got quiet. Allison smacked her again and again. It was like playing with a set of bongos in front of her. Toni noticed that each time she jerked from the smack, her pussy would automatically grind against Allison's thigh. Smack. Grind. Smack. Grind. 

The stinging sensations from the smacks on her ass, combined with the pure pleasure of her pussy rubbing hard against Allison's thigh, was about to send Toni over the edge. Only after a few moments did she realize that the smacks had stopped and she was grinding on her own. Suddenly, Allison slipped a moist middle finger inside Toni's asshole. For the briefest moment, Toni tensed up from surprise. Smack! Allison hit her left cheek. "I didn't tell you to stop." Toni started grinding again even harder. The grinding, the smacks Allison was continuously giving her, and the finger up her ass was about to send Toni deep over the edge. Low, shorts grunts barely passing as human erupted from her throat as she grind like her life depended on it. Toni felt her orgasm build with a force she had never experienced in her life. It pulled on her insides so hard she thought her clit would cave in. Allison gave her ass another hard smack and that did it. Toni came hard. Real hard. She buried her face in in the bed and cried like a feral animal as her body jerked in violent, pleasurable spasms. Allison kept smacking her during the orgasm which only exacerbated the pleasure. After what seemed like hours, Toni's body stopped jerking and she whimpered from the pleasure. Allison smacked her again. "I didn't give you permission to come that hard. Now you have gotten my thigh all wet. Cum dripping all down the sides. "

Allison rolled Toni off of her onto her back. Toni saw her look down at her thigh. "You made another mess, Toni. This time, you're cleaning it up." Delirious from pleasure, Toni crawled over to Allison and began to greedily lick her own cum off of Allison's thigh. She had never done anything like this, but was loving every second of it. After she licked it clean, Allison pushed her off. "Time for lesson number two." Next she threw all of the pillows and covers off the bed, pulled Toni into the middle, and spread Toni's legs as wide as they would go. Still panting and in a daze, Toni looked up at Allison, barely aware of what was going on. 

She soon found out as Allison lowered herself onto Toni's pussy and engaged them in the tightest scissor position possible. Allison lifted Toni's right leg a little higher which allowed her to lock their pussies together even tighter. She pinned Toni's wrist hard to the bed and started grinding slowly. "See Toni cussing me out in my own house. Acting like a fool. You came at me like a grown woman tonight and you will have to answer for it." Allison increased the speed of the grinding. Toni moaned. She watched Allison's breasts swaying wildly with every thrust. The long hard nipples at full attention. Toni stuck out her tongue, lifted her head, and tried to catch one in her mouth, but Allison had her body completely pinned to the bed. The bed squeaked loudly along with the wet sopping noises of Allison and Toni's pussies grinding together. "You have a lot of mouth, Toni. Not just tonight but fighting with me all the time. Giving me attitude." Toni could barely focus. Her mind was completely filled with pleasure. Allison rubbed harder. She thrust and fucked Toni's pussy intensely. Sweat was pouring down her body. Her breast swayed harder. "But you don't have all that mouth now, do you?Toni's eyes rolled back in her head and she knew she could not hold on much longer. Toni felt the familiar pleasure waves again and the feeling increased, but this was going to be far stronger than even the last orgasm. She thought she was going to be pulled inside of herself. Allison grabbed Toni's face and made her look in her eyes. "You need to learn how to let love in Toni. Especially when it is staring you right in the face."

Without warning Toni's orgasm hit hard. Toni's whole body began to shake like she was having a seizure. And Allison was showing no mercy. She fucked Toni relentlessly through the orgasm, making it even stronger. Toni's body convulsed violently as wave after wave coursed through her pussy. Her head thrashed around violently and her throat was horse from screaming. She started seeing colors, then stars, and knew she could not hold on much longer. Right before she lost it, the nightstand clock came into view. 11:58pm. Still Thanksgiving Day. Then Toni blacked out. 

The very next morning found Toni still asleep at 10:25am. She was sprawled out in the center of the bed deep under the covers. A ringing phone woke her up. By the time she dug herself out from under the covers, the ringing had stopped. She felt like she had been in an ultimate fighting championship battle. She looked around the empty room. No Allison. She would have thought she dreamed the entire night if it wasn't for the soreness in her body. She got out of the bed with just the sheet draped around her and walked down the stairs. The house still had the lingering smell of delicious food. Toni wondered into the kitchen to see a breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast, and a small bowl of her plum pudding had been prepared for her. 

A nicely hand written note said Allison went out to do some shopping, but didn't want to wake her. Toni gobbled her breakfast. Why she was still hungry after stuffing herself with Thanksgiving food yesterday was beyond her. It probably had something to do with all of the energy she spent last night she said to herself. After breakfast, Toni showered. Memories of last night floated through her mind in warm phases. Next, she took another tour of Allison's house. On this tour, she took time to really appreciate the effort, the beautiful paintings, color scheme, beautiful lightening. Allison had wonderful taste. She looked at the pictures on the mantle again, having a new appreciation for them. By noon, Allison had not made it back home yet. Toni was feeling tired again and did what she seemed to be doing a lot of lately, she laid on the couch and fell asleep. 

She awoke to the sound of Allison coming into the living room with a ton of shopping bags. Toni couldn't help herself. She ran to her and jumped in her arms, almost knocking her over. She gave her a big kiss and then stopped herself. What if last night was just a fluke she thought to herself. What if she is not feeling me like that? To Toni's relief, Allison put down the bags, and kissed her right back on the lips as if she did it every day. "I was out all morning fighting those Black Friday shoppers." Toni grabbed the bags and took them to the living room. "I will go heat up some food for you. You must be hungry."