A Tale of Two Turkeys

Years ago, some time in the mid to late 1960's. My mother came home from grocery shopping. She had bought all the food needed for our Thanksgiving dinner which would be coming up in a few days. She mentioned to my father that she had bought a turkey but it was too big for her to carry. It was paid for and they were holding it for her. It just needed to be picked up. My father agreed to go and off he went to pick up the turkey.

He pulled up into the Von's Market, in Pico Rivera, on the corner of Passons Blvd and Washington Blvd, went back to the meat section and told the guy that he was here to pick up the turkey that his wife had bought.

“No Problem, sir, let me get the list”. A few minutes later he came back and asked my father, “What's her name?” My father told him and he looks up and down the list and tells my father, “Her name is not on the list”. Well, my father says something to the effect of, “You better look again because it was bought and paid for”. The guy goes in the back and comes out and tells my dad “I'm sorry sir, there's nothing I can do”.

My father was not one to get discouraged so he kept at it. He insisted and the butcher resisted, and on and on it went. It was getting close to a fist fight. The manager became in involved and there was a lot of commotion. Finally, frustrated and at his wits end, the butcher goes into the back, returns with a large turkey, puts it in my dad's hands and says 'Take your G..damn turkey and go, I'm not arguing with you anymore!” My father didn't quite care for the guy's attitude but figure to himself, “I got the turkey”. Mission accomplished..

When he got home he tells my mother everything that had happened at the market. “Wow, I wonder what his problem was?” She said. “I told him you were coming to get the turkey!!” On and on they went until my father said that they weren't shopping at Von's any more. He was still pretty upset about everything.. “Von's!", my mother said, “What were you doing at Von's, I bought the turkey at Super A!”

My dad was so mad his veins were popping out. “But you said Von's! “No, I didn't, I said Super A!” That argument went unresolved to my father's dying day. Each one believed the other made a mistake that day. I can tell you this, after my father calmed down we laughed til it hurt!

My mother went by herself to Super A to pick up the turkey. She wasn't about to ask my father again. Turns out she was strong enough to carry it after all. That Christmas we had a very nice turkey dinner.

I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving and remember, whatever goes wrong, I guarantee you, you'll laugh about it some day! Happy Thanksgiving!