Overkill // Joseph Quinn

45

Day After Thanksgiving

It felt so good seeing all of my family again. I didn't expect to see everybody from out of town being together in this house again. I felt safe, I felt loved.

Many of my cousins had asked about my music and even said they were fans. I had totally forgot about production announcing new characters for Stranger Things until they brought that up as well. I never thought about how it would feel to bring this stuff up with my family, but it was more normal that I expected.

Having Jo by my side during it all helped as well. He helped bring the attention off of me for some time, considering most of my family are fans of the show. His character is definitely a common favorite, and I completely understand it.

"Good morning, sunshine." Sara welcomed as I pranced down the steps, feeling the good mood surge through my entire body.

I looked up to greet Sara back and see Jo already on the couch with Dixie. I smile and instantly reach for my beloved pet, picking her up and sitting her on my lap.

"I'm still stuffed from yesterday." Jo grabs his stomach dramatically.

"Can we talk for a sec, Eds?" Sara turns to a serious tone.

I watch her eyes as they motion for me to follow her into the kitchen. I nod, giving Dixie back to Jo.

"What's up?" I ask, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Do you wanna come to a party with me tonight? My school has a huge bash after Thanksgiving. Same with Christmas and New Years. It's a tradition. It would be really cool if you came." She rambles quick enough so I can interrupt her with my inevitable 'no.'

I sigh and rub my tired eyes roughly, not even taking this into consideration.

"That's just not my vibe, sis. Plus, I think mom and I have some catching up to do."

Speak of the devil, she walks into the kitchen and straight to her coffee pot. That's one thing that's never changed about her. Coffee comes first before any sort of interaction. Once she preps her cup and takes her first sip, she glances over at us.

"Good morning, my girls." She smiles, holding her coffee mug close to her chest. "I love seeing you both under the same roof after all these years."

I can't help but smile, looking over at Sara who smiles back at me.

My mom and I got along seamlessly during dinner yesterday. I don't know if she was just putting on a show in front of our entire family, but it felt nice to be able to actually get along with her with no feelings of passiveness. I really missed being around her in this way.

My dad had pulled me to the side briefly. He's always been the one to root for me out of everybody, he just felt the need to please my mom and agree with her. I don't blame him, it's easier just to let her have her way with things.

"I am really glad you're home, sis."

"Me too, dad."

"I'm also really glad that you've proved your mother wrong after all this time. It's good to see you making something out of yourself, just like you believed you could."

I smiled to myself at the memory, never forgetting those words.

"Any plans today?" My mom chimes in again.

Sara nudges my shoulder, silently bringing up her invite to the party. I roll my eyes and push myself off the counter.

"I was thinking we could go out and do something. Maybe do some Christmas shopping, or whatever." I suggest.