Disclaimer: Garfield and all related characters are the property of Paws Inc. and ViacomCBS/Nickelodeon at the time of this story's creation.


Chapter 6: Grandma Saves Thanksgiving!

Garfield enters the kitchen only to find a distraught Arbuckle staring at all the food that had just been ruined.

"Uh...Hey, Jon. Are we having another frozen dinner?" The cat chuckles nervously as his owner picks up the now ruined turkey and drops it onto the table.

"I'm afraid there won't be any dinner tonight, Garfield. Everything is ruined." Jon said, just about ready to burst into tears again.

"I'm a terrible chef!" Jon blames himself and slams his head into the turkey.

"Oh, no! What have I done!?" The guilt ridden cat asked himself as he watches his owner crying with his head in the turkey.

"What am I gonna do now?" Jon muffles.

"Well, we could always order some pizza." Garfield suggests and reaches for Jon's phone.

"I know what I can do!" Jon snaps his fingers as he gets his head out of the turkey.

"I'll call Grandma! She'll know what to do!" Jon said with confidence as he snatches his phone from his cat and dials the number.

"Jon, you're a genius!" Garfield compliments his owner. "If there's one person who can fix a mean Thanksgiving meal in a jiffy, it's definitely her!" He explains to the reader.

"Thanks, Grandma, You're a lifesaver! See you in a few!" Jon said before hanging up.

*VROOOOOOOOOOM*

*SCREEEEEEEEEECH*

*SLAM* The back door suddenly swings open.

"Have cooking utensils, will travel!" Grandma Arbuckle removes her biker helmet and makes her grand entrance. "Now, where's the patient?"

"Wow! That was fast!" Jon said, impressed.

"Thanks, honey. Now, what are you doing just standing around for, boy? Shoo shoo, and leave the kitchen to me!" Grandma shoves Jon out of the kitchen.

"Garfield! How's my favorite kitty cat today?" Grandma greeted.

"Much better, now that you're here, Grandma!" Garfield grins.

"Oh, you're looking a little thin. Isn't that grandson of mine feeding you?" She asked.

"Well, if you count feeding me nothing but half a lettuce all day, then no." Garfield answered.

"My, my, my, my, my. What have we here?" Grandma is quite surprised upon noticing the turkey that's been covered in tears.

"Looks like something the cat dragged in." She jokes.

"Oi vey." Garfield rolls his eyes.

"If you'll pardon the expression, Garfield." Grandma said, clearing her throat. "Well, I love a challenge, and this sure as hell looks like one! Stand back, Garfield! This is war!" She pulls out her chainsaw and prepares to slice the turkey.

*WRWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*

"Ever had Grandma's famous turkey croquettes, Garfield?" Nothing finer!" Grandma said as she finishes sawing the turkey.

"Go, Grandma, go!" Garfield cheers.

"There now, we'lljustwhiptogetheralittlewhitesauceabitofparsleyadashoflemonjuiceandsomegratedonion!" She said and places the ingredients in the bowl at the speed of light.

"Nowwe'lladdourturkeytothewhitesaucemakesomebreadingrollourmixtureinthebreadinganddeepfatfry!" In a millisecond, she finishes the croquettes.

"Deep fat fry, deep fat fry! Now that's music to my ears!" Garfield licks his mouth with delight.

"Now, how about some sweet potatoes?" Grandma asked.

"PFFFFT!" Garfield spits his tongue in disgust.

"Oh, now come on, Garfield! You never had Grandma's sweet potatoes!" She said.

"This is true." Garfield agrees.

"Just add a cup of butter, a cup of brown sugar, and some marshmallows!" Grandma said.

"I'm starting to like them already." The cat smiled, now eager to try them out.

"Have you seen my split second cranberry sauce?" She asked before covering his eyes and dropping some cranberry from a can onto the plate in half of a second.

"Too late! You blinked, Garfield!" She jokes. "And now for the pièce de résistance…" She suddenly pulls out a… "Pumpkin pie!"

"Skip the piece of resistance, just give me some pie!" The starving cat attempts to grab the pie, but Grandma proves to be too fast as she cleans the kitchen and places all of the delicate cuisine on the dining table in the blink of an eye.

"Nice touch!" Garfield said.


Jon anxiously paces back and forth across the hallway. Then, he notices both Grandma and Garfield exiting the kitchen.

"I think things should just about be ready, Jon!" Grandma said.

"Grandma, you have no idea how thankful I am." Jon hugs her tightly.

"Oh, don't worry about it, boy." She returns the hug, reassuring her grandson. "Now then, it's time for old Grandma here to leave."

"But don't you want to stay and eat dinner with us?" Jon insists.

"I'd love to, but I'm needed back home. You know how your mother gets when I'm away for too long." She explains.

"Oh, I see. Well, take care, Grandma." Jon waves goodbye.

"You take care of yourself too, Jon." Grandma said as she makes her way out the back door. "Oh, and Garfield?"

"Yes, Grandma?" Garfield asked.

"Eat a piece of pie for me." She kisses Garfield on the cheek and leaves.

"They just don't make them like that anymore." Garfield said, saluting her.

Jon and Odie enter the kitchen and gasp at the beautiful Thanksgiving meal set before them.

"Dinner is served, Arbuckle." Garfield said in a formal voice.

"It's...it's so beautiful." Jon wipes a tear from his eye.

The trio sat themselves down at the table, said their prayers and blessings, and gorged themselves on the delicious feast. One by one, the food gets smaller and smaller, as they savor every last bite. This was, no questions asked, the best Thanksgiving dinner they've ever had.


Later…

Garfield and Odie relax on the living room couch, stomachs completely full.

"Well, it turned out to be a great day after all." Jon said, having just finished washing the dishes. "And judging by the looks of you two and your bellies, I'd say you had a great day too."

"It sure was, Jon. It sure was." Garfield said.

*Arf* Odie barks in agreement.

"I know one thing I'm grateful for today." Jon said.

"Grandma." Both Jon and Garfield cheered at the same time.

"Garfield, I really am sorry for putting you on that diet." Jon apologizes. "Could you ever forgive me?"

"Don't worry, Jon. All is forgiven." Garfield reassures his owner and pats him on the head.

"Well, let's take a little walk and try to work out some of this food, boys." Jon suggests.

Garfield and Odie struggle to move from the couch. While Garfield manages to get back on his feet, Odie has a more difficult time budging from his position.

"C'mon, boy! C'mon, Odie!" Jon whistles for Odie, but the dog can't seem to move from the couch.

"Oh no, not you too." Jon sighs. "I suppose we'll have to put you on a diet as of right now."

Garfield pulls out a whistle and green sergeant hat. He blows the whistle right in Odie's ear.

"Alright, Odie! For the next few weeks, I'm gonna be your diet monitor!" Garfield fiercely proclaims, taking advantage of the situation. "Now, gimme ten!"

*Arf* Odie happily salutes.

"Wipe that stupid smile off your face!" Garfield demands, earning a growl from the dog.

"C'mon, soldier! I said drop down and give me ten!" Garfield shouts. Odie immediately drops down and starts doing push-ups.

"I'm so gonna enjoy this!" Garfield smirks evilly.

The End!