Inside | Shane Harte

43 | Thanksgiving

I wake up with the sun shining into the room, causing me to sneeze because of the bright light. I rub my eyes and look around, realising that I'm home in my old room.

It's still completely intact from when I last saw it. The framed photos of Mozart and Beethoven are still hanging proudly on the back wall, my first violin that I got by the age of six is still in its case carefully placed on the drawer. I smile thinking back of who I was just a few months ago.

I've definately changed since then. If someone told me half a year ago that I would soon trade the lifestyle, violin playing and listening to piano music in the evenings for late nights partying, drinking, swearing and singing acoustic music I would've passed out immediately. Now it all feels kind of natural. It's who I am.

I jump up from the bed to get dressed and brush my hair to at least look somewhat decent before walking downstairs. In Toronto, it's no big deal to walk outside in pajamas and a messy bun while here at home, where I know everyone, it's slightly different.

I decide to just put on some regular jeans and a sweater since the leaves outside have started falling and it's not really that warm anymore. I then walk down the stairs to find mother and father sitting by the table eating breakfast.

"Father" I exclaim before rushing to him and embracing him in a big hug.

"Oh, my lovely Kayla" he smiles. "Happy thanksgiving"

"Happy thanksgiving, you too mother" I smile and pull away from the hug.

"You too, honey" mother smiles and hands me a plate of bacon and eggs, the dish she always makes for me when she's proud of me. I thank her and start eating.

"So, let's talk about the record deal" father smiles, and I nod while swallowing the food in my mouth.

"It's in Ottawa, so... Where will I live?" I ask, and father looks at mother with a proud look on his face.

"Well, I'm glad you asked" he says and grabs a piece of paper with some pictures on it on the table, before showing it to me. "As you know I do a lot of my travels from Ottawa so for that reason I have a penthouse right next to Hurdman Park. I rarely use it more than a few nights before leaving it empty for another month. You could live there"

"Wow Ben, that sounds amazing" mother smiles eagerly and looks at me with a meaningful look. I playfully roll my eyes and wait for the next argument.

"Yes indeed, it is. It's got an outdoor swimming pool as well" he says with a playful wink.

"Okay, so it's a nice apartment. What about the rest? Working in a city where I don't know anybody? Finding friends? I mean, it's not that easy"

"Oh, don't be silly darling. You've always had an easy time when making connections with other people. It won't be a problem, I can assure you" mother says, and I smile a little.

"So, who's coming tonight?" I ask.

"Everyone" mother says as I raise an eyebrow.

"Are you serious? Mason's coming as well?" I ask eagerly, and mother nods.

"All the way from Ottawa" she says proudly and I squeal.

"Wow, I haven't seen him for almost a year!" I laugh happily while hugging both mother and father tightly.

Me and Mason have always been best friends, all the way back to 4 years of age. We grew up playing the violin and going to classical music concerts together. We always did until he and his family moved to Ottawa in the beginning of summer this year.

"I almost forgot" I smile. "I have to call my job to say that I quit"

"So you're really going then?" mother asks me with a happy voice.

"Well, I'm not a hundred percent convinced yet but I think so. The whole reason why I got the job from the beginning was to be able to get an apartment of my own when I lived at Sha... Cora's"

Mother and father looks at each other with a pityful look and don't leave any more comments about the subject.

The day continues and I happily help with all of the preparations including cleaning the house, putting the turkey in the oven and cutting the vegetables. Before I know it it's evening and guests are starting to show up. My grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins and last but not least, Mason and his family.

"Oh my gosh, you're here!" I squeal happily when he pops up at the front door while throwing myself at him in a hug.

"Uhm, who are you?" he asks with a confused look on his face. Everyone goes silent for a second before he breaks the silence. "Just kidding"

I start laughing and slap him playfully.

"I can't believe you're here" I smile. "It feels like it's been ages"

"Yeah well, it certainly feels that way at least" he says and hugs me again.

"Come on in and take a seat by the table" mother says behind my back while gesturing towards the dining area.

Everyone sits down by the table and dad takes the lead in the prayer. After that, I can tell from the look on mother's face that she's not far away from screaming the news out loud.

"It really is too bad we couldn't celebrate thanksgiving on monday, when everyone else celebrates it, because Kayla has got school then" father starts and everyone turns towards him.

"Not for long she's not. Okay everybody, if I may have your attention please" mother proudly begins and the room goes completely silent and focused on her. "As you all know, my dear Kayla got into a music academy in Toronto. She started in the classical music department, but unfortunately she felt that it didn't suite her after some time. She transferred to the acoustic department where she got into singing, which she's great at. So great that a record dealer from Ottawa offered her a full record deal on the spot directly after her performance at the fall concert!"

Everyone applauses and stands up, and all I want is to sink down below the ground. I can't believe that she couldn't even wait until we started eating before telling everyone. Oh wait, but I can. I'm not surprised at all, since this is always what she does when she's proud of something. She just has to show it off.

I roll my eyes and smile gratefully towards everyone before grabbing a fork.

"So, let's eat!"