#4. Today, I regret throwing away those turkey necks

I am a neat freak – everything in its place and a place for everything. So when I noticed that the turkey was seasoned and most of the dishes had been washed, I decided to chip in and clean the counters. It was the least I could do since I had every intention of eating a whole lot of big bird this week.

First, I found the towel so I could dry a couple of cups. Then I put them carefully into the cabinet. As I was moving other items off the counter, I noticed these turkey (guts), or so I thought, that were atop of some other miscellaneous items of associated with the turkey. In one swift move, I took a clean white plastic baggie, the kind you get from the market, and I placed all of the turkey parts inside of the bag, tied it up and sat it in the sink so nothing would drip onto the floor. Then I proceeded to wipe down the counter with cleaning solution. All seemed to be well in the world, until around 10:00 pm when I get a tap at my bedroom door.

“Yes,” I answered.
It was the turkey baster. “What did you do with the turkey necks?” she asked in a not-so-nice tone.
“What turkey necks?” It had been over an hour ago since I cleaned the kitchen, and I honestly did not remember seeing any turkey necks.
“I pulled the turkey necks out of the turkey so I could use it for my gravy.” She went on to explain.
Just then it hit me. Her turkey necks had to be all that nasty stuff that was on the counter.
“Oh, those were turkey necks? I put them in a baggie and left it in the sink. Did you throw that stuff away yet?” Trying to get the blame off of me so I could rest.
“Of course I did.”

At this point she is making a lot of judgmental comments about me, which turns me off completely from the conversation. I cannot recall all the details, but I know it ended with “FINE.” That is always the word I use when I am done talking and just don’t care anymore about what the other person has to say.

Minutes later, something in my spirit told me to apologize. I had thrown her meat way, albeit by mistake, and so I should take some responsibility. Of course, she could have been more orderly and had those things in a bowl instead of appearing to be trash and this whole fiasco would have been avoided. Furthermore, she technically threw it away; I only placed it in the bag. But I did not say any of that; I calmly waved the white flag. And then I said the dumbest thing ever, “Do you want me to go look in the trash?”, because she instantly replied, “yes”. In hindsight, it had to be that turkey aroma mixed with tryptophan that made me drowsy and kept me from thinking rationally.

Long story, short, around midnight I was dumpster diving – no not really – the can only had 3 small grocery style plastic bags and the first one I pulled out was the winner. After washing my hands, I also washed the turkey necks, placed them in a bowl (where they should have been all along), and put them in the refrigerator.

What I have learned from this experience is to not be so quick to help others because in the event that something goes wrong, they will immediately forget the good you have done. In fact, they will wake you up from your sleep, harass you and then manipulate you into digging through trash to find some $2 turkey necks! All is well that ends well, but I will be passing on the gravy this year.

Regrettably yours,