There was a time…
In the nineties…
When Black Friday meant more than Thanksgiving…
So much so, Momma Deleon and Pops Deleon were in dire need of solutions. Watching the family run away from the dinner table with plates half eaten, saddened them. Thanksgiving was family day. To reunite with family and introduce newcomers. Their disillusion started to frighten them. Their core of unity was in the process of being slashed like the prices of the night. Plates barely touched at this point. More of a meet up spot for the cousins. Momma Deleon was not going for that- at all. She already sacrificed two Thanksgivings to keep the peace. Pops Deleon noticed her annoyance growing and suggested an idea that would change tradition until their passing.
“Why don’t we get the children to come a day earlier? It wouldn’t interfere with their schedules. They do not have the day off anyway on Thanksgiving. And then on Thanksgiving, they can come here to hang out before their consumerism makes them rabid.
You tell them… that is their only possibility, or I am not cooking anymore. Nor baking. They can go to their little friend’s house and settle for that outside cooking.
For them, right? Cause this shit got nothing to do with me. I am Sweden in World War 2.
(Laughing)
Don’t you fret. Just get my family back in those chairs.”
Sunday dinner was where Pops made his move. He waited for Momma Deleon to leave the table and told them to sit back down. Their son Shawn and daughter Priscilla sat back down with curious faces. The cousins, Maria and Winston, eyes Pops suspiciously. He never keeps them behind. More like get out as soon as you can.
“Your mother, ya aunt, is feeling some type of way.
Momma always feels some way Pops. This is not news.”
Pops chuckles heavy.
“You do have a point. But not now. Any other day, she wouldn’t even care. She sees ya almost every Sunday. So can’t be it. Her love for tradition, the holidays, holds a special place in her heart. She believes the holidays allow people to drop their guard, which in turn creates authentic bonding. People, especially in the city, are a bit more cheerful. She loves seeing you all excited and enjoying each other’s company. Now it was all good when ya first did it.
Did what?
Ran out of here like feans looking for a fix. For what? Deals? Trust me. You know how frugal…
Cheap…
Frugal I am. Fifty percent off… LIKE WHAT? Give me that! But just not on Thanksgiving. Your momma did not want to fight and ruin the day, so she let it rock. The second year, she almost slapped you Priscilla for not even touching your plate. All your talk about Beanie Babies put her in a bad place. Nobody was listening unless it involved a deal. Not at this family table. When I was growing up, you were lucky to have one TV- with different channels. A pair of sneakers you actually wanted to wear. So, when ya behave like this, like the outside world, she recoils in shame. We did not raise ya to behave in such a manner. She gave up two Thanksgivings for your indulgence. She simply will not have it anymore. Now with all that said, we are having Thanksgivings on Wednesdays now, the day before.”
The dinner table erupts with protest.
“Nah Pops, we do our Friendsgiving on that day.
Yeah, my friends too.
I prep that day for my famous Pumpkin Pie.”
Pops waits for them to finish before continuing…
“I was instructed to pass this message onto ya with the emphasis on there will be no more cooking, baking, or anything edible coming out of this kitchen unless you all agree.
Ahh, she is bluffing.
Yes, she loves to cook; she cannot just stop.
My birthday is coming up; she’s not going to make me the carrot cake. Yeah, right.
I did my due diligence. The rest is on ya. Love ya. Now get out my house.”
Throughout the week, each one of them made an attempt to penetrate her defense. Text messages, phone calls, and even emails were abruptly ended when Momma Deleon noticed their lack of seriousness. As much as it pained her, she knew a stand was needed to get her family back. Priscilla, still expecting her favorite Momma’s carrot cake, was in for the shock of her life when it wasn’t baked. Her birthday, now missing a special element, seemed to be lacking. Never had she felt such a way. Winston, Maria, and Shawn all felt her pain. Momma Deleon has never missed a birthday or event, really nothing. Pops looked at them smiling, not saying a word.
Shit got real…
The kids and cousins even tried an intervention seeing how their Friendsgiving was not going to be stopped simply because they could not attend. It was pre–Black Friday where some spots would illegally open the doors earlier for a select few. They had their eyes set on the new Jordan 10s which started at $125.00- now $62.00 dollars. They all knew someone working in either Footlocker or Finish Line, which improved their chances. Pops Deleon told them they were out of their minds, but they would not budge.
On the day of the intervention, everyone but Momma Deleon showed up. Pops could not hold back his laughter at their unexpected disappointment.
“See, what ya kids showed me today. Ya do not know your mother outside of her being your mother. That woman is more stubborn that all of ya combined. Ya thought she was going for this. My advice- negotiate for peace at Sunday dinner. We are three weeks out from Thanksgiving. And if ya ruin MY Thanksgiving because you will not sit down with family without thinking about a fucking deal, then we going to have problems.”
The teenagers finally reached an impasse. A lesson in life. Sacrifice. Tradeoffs. Momma Deleon even stopped picking up the phone if it wasn’t regarding the new tradition.
At Sunday dinner, Momma Deleon walked in last. Smiling without a hint of animosity asks…
“Have we reached a verdict.
You are still watching that Law and Order, huh.
Oh man. Am I? It is fascinating.
Okay, ma! You got it. Thanksgivings on Wednesdays. So, what are we supposed to do on the actual day?
What ya were doing on the actual day. Meet here. Sit down. Pretend to eat and chat. Then escape.”
They all laughed in unison. The kids could not believe their mother was so tough.
With the new tradition in effect, the house smells amazing. Shawn and Priscilla watch TV with Pops as Momma Deleon kicked everybody out of the kitchen. Smells from each portion of the plate infect their nostrils. As they begin seating, Winston and Maria arrive with some more family members. With the house full of chatter and excitement, Momma Deleon stares at them in awe. Even funnier when conversations get interrupted by everyone screaming at the basketball game on TV. The Knicks were going to lose this game, and everyone felt a way about it.
Seated at the dinner table, Momma and Pops Deleon thank them for being there. For having empathy even if it had to be slapped into them- they learned. Momma Deleon still has some questions about this upgraded phenomenon…
“We had Black Friday in our day but nothing like this. This is pure madness. Those prices would bring out the devil in me if I took part.
Come on ma, it’s not that bad.
Priscilla… did you not get into an actual fist fight with a lady for those Beanie Babies?
She hit me first ma. Like punched me in the back of my head. She had to catch rec.
You see. Justified violence for material things is insane to me.
Ma, you are telling me you would not want to watch your stories on this brand-new Mitsubishi 80-inch rear projection? They can run up to $2,700. And tomorrow, we can get that for half that. Is that not worth it?
Shawn, if that TV is unable to give me a massage with personal commentary from my stories, there is no way in hell I’m spending that on a TV. Go to the movie theater if you want a big screen.
Winston, what is this game you keep going on about? Monkey country? Sounds kind of racist to me.
They all burst out laughing.
No ma, it’s called Donkey Kong Country. It is da bomb. I played a little of it in my friend’s house; we must have it. Don’t start bugging me ma.
Don’t start what…
Nothing I was talking to Maria!
No, you weren’t! Momma he was talking to you.
No! No!
Leave your cousin alone.
Momma Deleon watch them all go silent, savoring the food before continuing.
“The news always shows us the brawls and mayhem from these things. I refuse to see any of ya on my fucking TV explaining why you body slammed an elder for the last pair. Of anything!! Your father would agree with me, we will whoop ya asses if something happened to any of ya. Coma, dead, crippled- I’m kicking the shit out of ya. Winston and Maria, your parents would agree with me so do not think this only applies to my children. I love ya the same way.
Do not. And I mean do not- call our house with any dumb shit.
That’s harsh, ma.
Me having to have Thanksgiving a day early is harsh. Do not start with me, boy.
Pops began to laugh, easing the rising tension.
Which one of ya got the girlfriend?
Come on Pops, we not kissing and telling.
If I didn’t kiss and tell, your momma wouldn’t be your momma.
Everyone roars in disbelief and laughter.
Ahh come on Pops, nobody wants to hear that.
Alright, shy guy. You heard Nelson Mandela President now? Now that is karmic justice!!
But they took OJ.
Yeah, that is a tough one. Too much money for such behavior. He definitely wasn’t raised by your momma.
Sure wasn’t.
The kids begin clearing the table for dessert which Momma Deleon goes to retrieve. To the shock of everyone, especially Priscilla, a large carrot cake is set on the table.
“Now baby, you didn’t think I wasn’t going to make your favorite?
Priscilla is deeply moved by the gesture; she tears up, inviting jokes from all sides of the table. Double crusted pumpkin pie, Coca-Cola cake, and the famous New York Cheesecake spread across the table. As everyone enjoyed each bite, it felt like the first time. It has been a long two years since such bonding was seen. No one rushed to leave. Everyone embracing the Now and staying in it. Momma and Pops Deleon felt accomplished. It made such an impact on everyone, said tradition continued even after their passing.
Family- well, any connection that promotes self growth, is a staple in achieving success. Byproducts of such actions, which include happiness or pursuit of it, are incredibly powerful. Sometimes so much it makes us selfish without consciousness. From my studies, we are not designed to beat Human Nature. Quite the opposite, we tend to lean into it. Accepting your flaws, shortcomings, and greed allows you then to absorb it in a way where you can manipulate such behavior for your benefit and those around you. Momma and Pops Deleon knew they couldn’t defeat such a machine. However, they could make it work in their favor simply by accepting Human Nature.
Could you do that…?!
DRC Thomas-Payne
11/26/2025
PayneInTheCulo 