The Dangers Of The Damaged ✔︎

24 ↝ Thankful

"And if I may just take your breath away,
I don't mind if there's not much to say,
Sometimes the silence guides your mind."
Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood.

"... and then, little Hunter couldn't stop crying because he lost his koala soft toy." Kate smiles, probably reminiscing in memories of Hunter as a child.

The subject of our conversation is sitting on the armchair, his expression a mix of embarrassment and humour, petting Milo who's at his feet, like always.

"Mom, stop." He groans, laying back on his seat.

"Mommy! Can Eddie sit with us for dinner?" Lilly perks up from her spot on the floor, holding up her teddy bear. She's wearing an adorable pink onesie, her dark hair clipped back with a white barrette shaped like a snowflake.

"Yes honey." Kate smiles, ruffling Lilly's hair lovingly.

"I want to help make pie." Lilly gets to her feet, hugging Eddie to her chest. "Please?"

"Come on, let's go see if Celia needs any help with the food." Hunter stands, extending his hand to Lilly. Since Hunter's hand is at least eight times bigger than hers, Lilly grasps his little finger with her entire hand.

"Alex, why don't you join them? I'm going to lay down for a while before dinner." Kate says, patting my knee.

Before I can reply, Hunter speaks, his expression etched with worry. "Mom, are you feeling okay?"

Kate nods. "Yes, darling. I just need a little nap."

"Alright," He replies, and looks over to me expectantly. I get to my feet, and offer Kate a small wave as she goes upstairs before following Hunter and Lilly to the kitchen.

Celia is a whole tornado when we find her. She's bustling around, stirring things, taste testing, kneading dough, and god knows what else.

"Hi Celia, need some help?" I ask, as Hunter sets Lilly on a stool by the island. Celia whips around, dusting flour off her hands and smiles when she sees us.

"That would be great, mes amours." She sighs. Clearly this is too much work for her to handle alone.

"It's no problem." I say, and walk over to stand next to her. "Little Lilly here wants to help make pie."

"Wonderful!" Celia turns to Hunter and Lilly, and points to a pile of ingredients on the kitchen counter. "Those are the ingredients for the raspberry pie, you can get started if you'd like."

"Me and Lilly will handle the pie. Right princess?" Hunter lifts his hand for a high five, which Lilly delightfully delivers, giggling.

"Yes!"

Celia hands them a sheet of paper with the recipe, and turns back to stirring the pot of something.

I have no idea how Thanksgiving works, what kind of food they make or anything of the sort, so I remain next to Celia, unsure of what to do. Celia probably sees my confused, lost expression because she pauses her stirring.

"Oh, Miss Alex! Your first Thanksgiving?"

I nod slowly, offering an awkward smile. "Yep."

Suddenly, a phone on the wall rings, interrupting our conversation. Celia waddles over to it and answers it, talking for a few seconds before hanging up. She wipes her hand on a dishcloth and takes off her apron. "The local grocery store called to say our turkey is ready. I should go get it."

Hunter and I nod in response, as she flurries around grabbing her things. "Mr. Hunter, why don't you tell Miss Alex a little about Thanksgiving? And please watch the stove."