Step-Benifits #01: Thanksgiving

Thanks to 'idleardor' for helping to get this story edited.




A black Hundai pulled down the street and parked next to a large white house. From out of the driver's seat stepped a young man with short black hair and wearing a UCSB hoodie. He walked to the trunk while A beautiful, tall, blond young woman stepped out of the passenger's side. She wore all white - a low cut blouse and a long skirt with black floral patterns. The young woman walked over to the driver who still stood in front of the trunk.

"That's ok. I'll take it Brandon."

"Courtney, don't worry about it," her brother said, as he picked up her one large bag. They walked past two cars in the driveway, a BMW SUV and an old Honda Civic. Brandon pulled out a key and opened the front door.

"Mom should still be in the kitchen," he said.

A large black man sat at the couch, watching a football game. He looked towards the door, stood up, and walked to Courtney and Brandon with a smile. He wore a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeve shirt.

"Hello, Courtney?" He said with uncertainty.

"Hi," she replied.

"Happy Thanksgiving. I'm Eddie, your new Dad," he chuckled. She noticed he wasn't really looking her in the eye when he spoke, but several inches below her chin at her ample cleavage. Then he looked up at her face and his smile faded.

"It's good to meet you," she said with a nod before pulling her blazer together to cover her chest. He was quite tall, Courtney noticed, with a thick mustache and short cropped hair.

"Tara is in the kitchen."

"Yeah. Brandon told me," she replied.

"I'll just put your stuff in Ashley's room," her brother said as he walked upstairs.

Courtney walked through the dining room, looking back at Eddie as she did so. He gave her a broad smile before she entered the next room.

"Courtney!" her mother said happily, as she rubbed wet hands against her apron. They embraced firmly for a minute or so before her mother pushed her back.

"Happy Thanksgiving."

"You too," Courtney replied.

"Let me look at you...," Tara said with a smile. "Hmm, college hasn't thinned you out any."

"Mother I-"

"You know I'm joking. You've had the same figure ever since senior year of high school."

"No, I've gained weight since then," Courtney admitted. "I couldn't gain any when I was acting, but now-."

"You look good."

"Thanks, but you look amazing. How much weight have you lost?"

"About 50 pounds."

"Wow."

"Yeah. Ever since your father and I split, I started dieting and exercising a lot. I met Eddie at Super Six Gym, you know?"

"Yes mother, you told me."

"It was right before I got laid off. I saw this sexy black man lifting weights and, lucky me, he was just my type."

"Mom..."

"Courtney, I know you don't approve, but Eddie's a really good man. I hope you can talk to him this weekend and get to know him and your step-brother. It's too bad Eddie's oldest son Sean isn't here too. He's visiting his mother."

"I came here to see you, Mom." Courtney looked out the window framed over the kitchen sink. "I... I missed you, but I really didn't want to come because of... what you did to..." She looked back toward her mother, her lip quivering.

"Courtney, it's not my fault I didn't..." Her mother sighed, just as her voice was raising higher. She appeared to be trying to calm down before she spoke again. "It's not like-"

Courtney held up her hand to stop her mother. "Let's not talk about it. I just want to have a good Thanksgiving dinner with my mom, like old times."

"Alright." Tara opened her arms and Courtney hugged her mother again. She felt good, and for a moment she had forgotten why she felt so sad.

"Tara?"

Courtney opened her eyes to see Eddie and a young black man standing next to him.

"Sorry to break up the mother-daughter bonding, but I want to introduce Courtney to my son Sam."

Sam had a muscular frame and looked about the same height as Courtney, maybe an inch shorter. His short sleeved, button-up shirt showed his muscular arms; the shirt was paired with a pair of baggy jeans. He was quite handsome.

"Hello," he said with a smile.

"It's great to see you again Sam, this is my daughter, Courtney," she said with a grin, presenting her daughter.

"Hello," he said, holding out his hand to Courtney.

"Hi," she shook it absently. "He doesn't live here?" she asked her mother.

"Nah I live with my mom," Sam replied before Tara could answer.

"But he's gonna be with us all weekend. Sam is doing great in school. He's first string on his football team," Eddie said proudly.

Her brother Brandon came through the kitchen door.

"I'm gonna go see my old room," Courtney said, looking to Brandon to indicate he should follow, as she walked towards the living room.

"Feels good to have a big family," Eddie smiled at his son. "Glad your mother let you come Sam."

Sam held out his hand to Tara.

"Come here son," Tara said opening her arms. Sam hugged her, squeezing her gently in his arms.

Courtney shook her head as she left the kitchen and walked past the dining table. She couldn't believe her mother was turning her back on her family for this new man and his sons. Her mom had only been divorced for a few months before she got remarried.

"Hey, wait," her brother called from behind her. "Don't leave me alone with them," he said after the door to the kitchen closed behind him. Courtney sighed. It had been only a year since she'd been back to her room, but it felt like so long.

Brandon pointed to an open door to the right just as Courtney was about to pass it.

"Hey, we get this room," Brandon said, stepping into the doorway and lying down on the bottom bunk bed. It was a small room with a few boy band posters on the wall.

"Huh?" Courtney asked as she followed behind him.

"We sleep in Ashley and Teagan's room tonight since they're with Dad for this year. Eddie turned your room into a gym or something and my room is Sam's now." Brandon started messing with his phone.

"I'm not spending the night. I'm going to my friend's place tonight, remember?"

"Oh yeah. At least you won't be stuck here with me snoring then."

"Ok," Courtney said, looking down. She was quiet, just staring at the floor.

"Hey is everything alright? You missing all your Hollywood friends already? We can't all be soap stars."

"Shut up," she said, slapping his shoulder. She sighed and sat down next to him on the bed.

"You know I'm joking. I don't watch the shows, but I know Mom does. She has all her friends watching too." He paused. "So what was that deep sigh about? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just miss old times. Our sisters aren't even here, and I'm not really ready to welcome this new family. The only reason why I came was because mother was so insistent. You know she wanted everyone here, but I don't know if Ashley and Teagan are ready to see Mom with another guy. Luckily the girls wanted to stay with Dad this year and Mom didn't really want to challenge them. I mean Dad would have been all alone for Thanksgiving. I feel so sad for dad. Mom got married so fast after they split.

I just met Eddie, and he already gives me the creeps."

"Really?" Brandon asked.

"Yeah he was looking at me weird," Courtney said with a sigh.

"I probably shouldn't say anything..," Brandon said.

"What?"

"I saw Eddie staring at your chest earlier."

"I know... What a jerk. Ok so this guy is supposed to be my stepdad and he's checking out my boobs? Ew, I don't know what Mom sees in that guy."

Brandon shrugged.

"I still can't believe Mom cheated on Dad," she said with irritation. "I thought she was better than that. She still won't admit it."

"I know..." Brandon said, laying his phone on the bed. "She seems happy though. I don't think Dad and her were getting along very well at the end."

"But still, why did she..." she stopped and shook her head. "She wants me to get to know her new family, but I don't know. It was hard for me to even come see her this time."

"You weren't at the wedding."

"I know. How did you do it?"

"It was... awkward," he said slowly. "The first time I met Eddie was on their wedding day."

They heard the sound of footsteps down the hall and stopped talking. Tara appeared at the door with a wan smile.

"Hi kids," she said. "How about you come downstairs?"

"I just wanted to see my old room, but Brandon told me Eddie made it into a gym?" Courtney said with a frown.

"Yeah, Eddie and I talked about it, and since you are out acting and going to college in California, we decided we could put in a really nice work out system. Don't worry, I kept all of your stuff in boxes in the attic."

Courtney pouted.

"Oh there will be plenty of time for you to go through them tomorrow if you want. Why you don't at least come into the kitchen to help me out."

"Tomorrow? I'm not staying, I'm going to spend the night with Jessica," Courtney replied.

"Oh honey, you have to stay. I haven't seen you in so long, and I wanted to make breakfast for you both. You're favorite, pigs in a blanket."

"I already promised Jess."

"And I have to leave early tomorrow to pick up Brianna from the black Friday sale," Brandon replied.

"Well, I guess I get to sleep in," their mother said, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Brandon, you want to come down and watch the game with the guys?"

"Yeah. In a little bit."

"Ok." She smiled. "It's good having my babies back in the house." She left, walking back down the stairs. When her footsteps faded away Brandon was the first to talk.

"So you're abandoning me here with Mrs. Scott?"

Courtney frowned.

"That's Mom's-" Brandon began.

"Oh yeah. I forgot that was their last name. It sounds too much like a first name."

"Yeah, it does. So are you coming down with me or am I going alone?" her brother said as he got up from the bed.

"I'll go with you, but I'm gonna be in the kitchen with mom. You get stuck with the Scott family. Let's get this dinner over with," she said, standing with a forced laugh.

They walked down the stairs together, giving each other a knowing nod as they parted ways. Courtney walked back into kitchen and her brother went to the couch to watch football with the Scott men.

"Hey dear, can you help me?" Tara asked her daughter.

"Sure."

"Check the thermometer temp on the turkey. I think it needs another hour; it's a new recipe I'm trying out."

Courtney set her purse on one of the kitchen chairs and opened the oven. She didn't talk much to her mom about other things. Tara did most of the talking as they prepared the meal for dinner. By the time they had finished, all the side dishes for the turkey were done. It was hard work that took about two hours.

"Honey could you tell the boys to come to the table?" her mother asked as they carried out the last of the dishes to the dining room.

Courtney walked to the living room. All the men were watching and drinking beers. Brandon was sitting on the end of the couch, typing on his phone.

"Dinner's ready," she said.

"Smells great," Eddie said. "Just a second till the commercial."

"Alright," she sighed, walking back. Brandon got up and walked towards the table.

"So rude," she whispered to him as he sat.

Tara and Courtney sat down as well. It was about five minutes until the commercial came. Tara went to the kitchen and got the bread out of the oven. When everyone was finally seated, Eddie smiled.

"It looks great baby."

"Thanks sugar," she said with a grin, putting her hand on his shoulder. They sat around the table with Eddie at the head. Sam and Courtney sat across from each other and so did Brandon and Tara. "It's too bad your sisters couldn't come," Tara said.

"Well someone should stay with dad," Courtney replied.

"Oh I almost forgot!" Tara said, pushing her chair back as she stood up.

"What is it?" Eddie asked. Tara didn't respond, she just disappeared into the kitchen. When she returned she was smiling with a bottle of wine and several glasses in her hands.

"Could you dear?" she asked, handing the bottle to Eddie. He opened it with the cork screw and filled his glass and proceeded to fill the others, but Courtney declined.

"No thanks."

"Come on honey. Why don't you loosen up?" Eddie said.

"No, that's ok," she said with a wave of her hand.

"More for me," Eddie said with a shrug.

The table was quiet except for the sound of people eating or an occasional comment on how the food was good. Sam finally broke the ice.

"So Dad, you never told me how you and Tara met."

Eddie and Tara smiled. Tara took a drink from her glass.

"Well it wasn't that long ago th-" Eddie started.

"Wait let me tell it," Tara interrupted.

"No. It's my turn for once," he said with a chuckle. "I was just minding my own business at that Super Six Gym over by George Avenue doing the bench-press."

"Leg machine," Tara said.

"Woman, who's tellin' this story?" he countered.

"Sorry." Tara smiled.

"Shit," he said, laughing. "As I was saying, I was bench-pressing, and then BLAM, this big ass was right in front of me."

Courtney could see her mother smiling, getting a little red.

"I swear I'd never seen such a nice ass on a white woman," Eddie said with a laughed. Courtney looked down, trying to ignore her stepdad's words. She felt so uncomfortable about how he referred to her mother. "And when she stood up and turned around, face wasn't that bad either," he said.

Tara slapped him playfully on his hand.

He laughed and they kissed. Courtney looked away, glancing at Sam. Her eyes locked with his for a second. He had a small smirk on his face that annoyed her.

"So I asked her out, and after she played hard to get for a week, we started dating," Eddie said simply. He finished his statement with a big spoonful of mashed potatoes and gravy.

Courtney reached for the wine. It was a bit out of her reach, so Eddie grabbed it.

"Let me," he said. She held her glass out while he filled it halfway.

"Fill it all the way," she said.

"I thought you didn't want any," he countered.

"I can handle it," she retorted.

"I'm sure you can." Eddie smiled, as he drained the rest of the wine into her glass. "Looks like we're out, is there anymore babe?"

"I'll get it," Tara said.

"No, that's ok. I'll get it," Sam replied.

"Thanks Sam," she said, laying a hand on his arm. "Get any of the red wines above the refrigerator."

"No problem," he said.

Sam left for the kitchen and Courtney took a big sip of wine. Eddie winked at her. There was something about how he acted around her that made her mad. Courtney took another long sip.

"Good wine, isn't it?" Tara asked.

"Yeah," Courtney said lazily.

"So Courtney is it tough to act and still make time for school?" Eddie asked. As Courtney finished the food she was eating, Sam sat down with another bottle of wine.

"Yeah, I'm actually taking a break from acting for a semester so I can catch up. I was lucky the producers let me," she explained.

"Where you going to school?" Sam asked.

"Upton State U," she replied.

"That's where my brother went."

She nodded silently and put another spoonful of tart cranberry sauce into her mouth.

"My oldest, Sean, was on the basketball team there for a while," Eddie said. "I was sure he was going to go pro."

"He never was," Sam chuckled.

"He could have made it," his father replied.

Sam shrugged.

"Excuse me," Courtney said, standing up and taking her unfinished meal to the kitchen. She put the plate in the sink and her glass of wine on the kitchen table. With a sigh, she opened her purse that hung off of one of the chairs, and pulled out a package of cigarettes. She tapped them quickly against her hand and pulled out the last two from the pack before slipping them into her blouse. She put the empty pack back and grabbed her lighter, placing it in her cleavage as well. Then, with her glass in hand, she turned around just as her mother entered the kitchen.

Courtney took a quick breath, scared that she was caught. Her mother had never approved of her smoking in high school, and Tara didn't know she had started up again in college.

"Is everything ok?" her mother asked.

"Yeah, I was just going outside to get a little air, it's a bit warm in here."

"It's so cold outside. Do you want to borrow a bigger coat I have one u-"

"No, that's ok. I like the cold air," she said, waving Tara away as she opened the side door and stepped outside.

The sky was dark and the stars were just beginning to be seen above. There was a small set of patio furniture on the other side of the yard underneath a wooden pergola on a concrete slab.

Courtney smiled softly as she looked at the treehouse up in the eaves of a large tree. She pulled one of the cigarettes from between her breasts and put it between her lips. Then she set the glass of wine down on the table and after clearing some leaves off the chair, she sat down. As she flipped the lid on the lighter she heard the side door open. In nervousness, she pulled the cigarette from her mouth and it rolled onto the concrete slab.

"Courtney?" she heard her brother say.

"Over here."

"Hey, you ok?" Brandon said.

"Yeah, I just wanted to get of there for a while." She shivered.

"You want any company?"

"Not unless you want to smoke," Courtney smiled, grabbing the cigarette off the ground and blowing the dirt off.

"Don't let Mom catch you out here."

"Could you distract her for a bit? I want to finish the whole thing."

"Ok. I'll tell her you're talking to your boyfriend on your cell or something."

She nodded in agreement.

"I'm gonna finish watching the game, ok? Just let me know when you want to leave."

"Hey, aren't you gonna stop drinking soon?" she asked, looking at the beer in his hand. His face was starting to turn red.

"This is my last one," he said.

"It better be, I can't drive your stupid stick shift car, remember."

"Yeah, yeah." And with that he went back inside.

Courtney put the cigarette between her lips, lit it, and took a breath of the burning tobacco. She exhaled, blowing the smoke off to the side. She looked at the full glass of wine on the table. She had already drank a full glass, and was beginning to feel the effects. She took another sip and watched the thin lines of dark liquid run down the sides of the glass, back to the bottom.

She pushed the thoughts of her mother and step family out of her mind and tried to focus on the cold, clear night and the warm smoke in her hand. She took another drag from the cigarette and let the smoke exhaust from her nose.

The back yard really hadn't changed much since she'd left, but the inside was much different. Pictures of Eddie and Tara dressed the walls, along with pictures of Eddie's sons. She didn't want to see her room anymore. It would be better to keep it the way it was in her mind. She didn't go as far as her youngest sister, painting the walls pink along with matching bed sheets and vanity, but she took pride in how organized her room had been. Her desk and closet were always neat and had a certain style she took pride in.

She took a deep lungful of smoke and puffed it between pursed lips, creating a small jetstream of smoke in front of her that entered her wineglass. When she lifted the glass it appeared as if the white smoke hovered above the dark red wine like fog. She blew again, driving the smoke out and then took another sip.

She enjoyed the pairing of wine and cigarettes, despite the fact that most of her college friends didn't smoke and preferred shots or appletinis to a good bottle of wine. Her first boyfriend in college was really into wines. She developed quite a taste for wine because of him. She took another drag from the burning cigarette and blew the smoke out quickly, hiding the burning cigarette behind her dress as she heard the door slide open.