The Fox, Red

057 - A Holiday's End

It's another month before the next family gathering. This time it'll be Christmas. In the meantime, I spend my time continuing my readings while my parents are away. When they come home, we relax together like we used to. Talk, watch TV, and have dinner. I've been having a good time taking them out to new places they've always wanted to try but never had the chance to do it. I've got the funds to do it. Why not spoil them?

It's not just going out though. I'm more than happy to help with the grocery bill. It also gives me a chance to give back. I don't cook often but I feel it's a good thing to bring to the table now and again. While living at Madam Odette's it wasn't my job to cook even for myself. There was a staff dedicated to feeding everyone. If I was tasked with taking care of myself, I would have had to pick that up along the way. I might have had to push for a small kitchen in my cabin.

It's nothing fancy, but it's good. Dad carries the list of things mom can't eat around while I'm cooking. He's very cautious about it to where it gets in the way. Mom has dealt with this. He'll hover for a while and stutter when I grab something he can't see. After a few times, she'll step in and drag him away by the ear to let me work.

The weather turned into a sharp cold. The coat I brought with me was perfect for this weather. It keeps the wind off me while keeping the heat in. The only thing that could make it better was if it was a heating element in it. I have my magic to help with that though.

Dad drove once again to this family gathering. It's much further out this time around. We've had a fair bit of snow this year but nothing too heavy. The main roads are cleared but some of the side ones are a bit rough. We know we're getting close when the road becomes plowed. Uncle Samwise uses his equipment to plow the snow out of the way to let the odd traffic come through as unhindered as possible.

His place isn't small by any means but with everyone there, it sure is cozy. The entryway leads right into the kitchen past an extension that works like a sunroom. With the heat coming from all the cooking, there is no need to have the heat on inside. Everyone seems to have moved through and gone into the main living room where they have the two couches, extra chairs, and a standing room. I look over the faces that I've seen before and it just feels good to be home.

Food is called shortly after 5 pm. Everyone heads to the dining room where the table is barely able to handle everyone. It's a repeat of Thanksgiving where everything is passed around. Everything smells good, it all looks amazing. The clatter of silverware against plates echoed through the room as everyone began partaking in their enjoyment. Dinner was quick. The kids were rather pushy to get people to finish as they wanted to get to their favorite part.

I hung back in the kitchen for a spell grabbing some dessert while helping clean things up. While everyone is in the living room exchanging gifts, I hang out in the kitchen near the addition where some of the adults are just chatting. There are a few chairs available but I've been sitting the whole ride here. Something does catch my eye though.

The sun has gone down so the headlights of the car pulling into the driveway catch my eye. Who's showing up that's not already here and this late at that? I ping out to see if I can recognize a face but nothing jogs my memory. There are two of them, a man and a woman making their way to the house. The front door opens, catching the attention of the others in the kitchen. Aunt DeeDee goes into her host mode to greet them at the door. "Tanya! Reed! It's so good to see you! We were hoping you would be able to make it."

Tanya and Reed? Uncle Thomas's wife and kid? Well, I guess she's a widow now. The two come around the corner following Aunt DeeDee. She's dressed in an unfestive black coat while he's dressed in a hoodie and jeans. It's about as casual as you can get. I take the moment to duck out of the kitchen into the side room.