Dreams, Memories & Keys

Chapter 55 - A Time to Remember

As expected, everyone did come to the Abernathy's Malibu Hills house for Thanksgiving of 2017. All of Greg and Susan's children were there, and all of the grandchildren, and in Greg's case, even his great-grandchildren were there for the holiday. The house was full to overflowing. Every available bed or crib was taken, including a few extras squeezed in here and there.

"I didn't know your house could squeeze in quite so many people," Richard remarked when he and his family joined the Abernathy's in the cottage for their Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.

"Normally it wouldn't," Greg assured him.

"Julie and Elliot did offer to host their part of the family most of the week, and they will be after tomorrow, but for today and tomorrow, everyone is here," Susan agreed.

"Where did you put them all?" Marion wondered.

Greg and Susan exchanged a look.

"It would be safe to say we got creative," Greg hedged.

"Some of the older children wanted to camp out at the bottom of the main shaft in our cave ... and their parents let them. Alan and Cindy have volunteered to sleep in the storeroom under the stairs where they could man the radio in case they have a problem during the night, so we've turned it into a bedroom for the occasion. Neil and Rosemary will be with the children at the bottom. It should be quite an adventure for all of them," Susan supplied.

Marion looked at her friend dubiously, but both her 15-year-old twins, Charlie and Melissa looked intrigued by the idea.

"That sounds fun, Mom. Can we do it too?" Melissa asked.

"You want to sleep at the bottom of Greg's cave?" Richard asked his daughter in disbelief.

"Sure, Dad. I mean, they have cots down there, and a computer, and even electricity. With sleeping bags, it might be fun," Melissa told him.

"Yeah, it would," Charlie told their parents eagerly.

Richard blinked. "Are Alan's kids even old enough to do that? Even with Neil and Rosemary with them, it is a wild cave."

"Olive is 12, Noah is 11, and Sally is 8. Only Olive and Noah are sleeping at the bottom of the shaft. Sally wants to go on the excursion tomorrow, but she's sleeping in the storeroom with her parents tonight," Susan replied.

"However, Neil's daughter LeeAnn, who is 10, almost 11 will be there, so will Diane who is 6 this year," Greg added.

"By themselves?" Richard pressed.

"As Susan said, Neil and Rosemary will be with them to provide supervision," Greg assured his anxious friend. "None of the younger children are going."

At that, Richard relaxed. "Good. Okay kids, if you want to go, you can," Richard told his teens.

"But what about shopping tomorrow?" Marion interrupted. "I thought you wanted to go to the Black Friday sales."

"You can pick us up here on the way," Melissa suggested.

"Both of you?" Marion asked, looking at her son too.

"Sure Mom. The rest of them are starting early to go to the water cave. We've already done that. I'd rather go to the electronics store early rather than doing that again," Charlie told her.

"If you are sure," Marion hedged.

"I'm sure," Melissa told her.

Marion and Richard exchanged a look between them.

"Then you can go."

Both Melissa and Charlie grinned.

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