Without Words

17- Happy Thanksgiving

A/N:  A long chapter again.

Warning for the offensive language/comment made my one of the characters again. I should point out that whatever comments made by any of my characters does not in any way reflect my own views and opinions about the topic.

It's been a month since that awful dinner. It's been a month since I took up the guest bedroom in the Monroe's. It's also been a month since I spoke to my mom and brother.

They never apologized. Nor did they ask me to come back to the house.

"That looks hideous."

I gave him a blank look. "It's mashed potatoes, Emmet. They are literally just potatoes."

"It's one color."

"What are you, five?"

"Emmet, stop bothering the girls and start the grill already. Logan already chopped your portion of wood for the campfire." Francis yelled at him from outside.

We're celebrating Thanksgiving with the Monroe's. Claudia loves throwing the best parties. All the families of our friends are invited. The young ones are settled outside making campfire and grilling burgers. The girls and I helped with the cooking while the guys were in charge of the burgers and camp fire.

My estranged family is also invited but they never bothered talking to me. Andy and Sophie were also there. Poor Sophie had to face the wrath of Katelyn and Luca but I firmly told them it's not her fault. She's a sweet girl and if the circumstances were different, we might even have been friends.

"I hope the cranberry sauce is fine." Sophie placed the pot shyly at the counter.

"It has got to be a record if you somehow messed that up." Katelyn quipped and I gave her a warning glare, she just shrugged.

"Does anyone have any idea what a potpourri is?" Tabi entered the kitchen with a frown. "I have no idea what's happening with the table outside."

It was Claudia who was designing it so I have no doubt it would be interesting. "I'll get it."

Claudia and I have gotten extremely close during my stay here and even opened up to her about my paintings, mentorship and plans for college. She gave me some critique since she has worked with the best illustrators and artists for her books. She also helped me with my application letter for Harvard. Dan and I passed it second week of November; he's applying for Architecture Studies while mine is in their Arts Program. His parents are Harvard alumni so we're getting interview tips from them.

"Spiced pumpkin potpourri?" I grinned and Claudia laughed heartily as she took the container from my hands.

"Great minds think alike." She winked at me.

"Everything fine with the food?" Caroline asked while adding the finishing touches to the turkey and stuffing.

"Sophie just finished the cranberry sauce." I reported obediently. "Everything else is almost finished. Katelyn wanted some roasted butternut squash though but the boys are slowpokes in the grill."

"Devon, dear." Claudia called her husband, while arranging the scented candles. "Can you please strike the fear of god to your son's and his friends? We're behind schedule."

Half an hour later, the table was filled with food. The Monroe's arranged for a pavilion in their backyard complete with fairy lights draped all over it and some torches by the corners. A large wooden table was at the center where all the families can celebrate Thanksgiving together. There was a small set of table and chairs by the side for Emmet's little twin brothers. The grill and campfire was on the far left. My friends and I planned to make smores and do some camping around the fire later.