Alternate Realities

Thanksgiving, pt 2

Tramy jostles Cal into a center seat, upsetting Bree and pushing me to the other side. It's clear, Cal and Mare will not be side by side but directly across from each other. Mare let's Diana and Clara take the end. I am sitting next to Kilorn.

Cameron hovers, looking for a chair among arms and bodies. I point to the other half of my little bench. Her braids are long enough to touch my shoulder and tickle my neck. I try not to blush. Her leg is warm alongside mine. I can't even respond when she says thanks.

Dad takes the head seat on my side, although Cameron is invading the corner. Mom takes Clara, tugging on her fisted hand and cooing. There's no grace said at our table. Only soldiers in foxholes are foolish enough to think someone's listening–or so dad says.

"I will say, I'm thankful for being together," mom says more to Clara than the rest of us. It's enough of a declaration of, "go" as we need.

Dad takes the first piece of chicken and passes the dish to Cameron. I already have a slice of bread. Cal looks at the mashed potatoes in Tramy's hands like it's gold. But Tramy passes across to Diana. Bree must count five lettuce leaves just to satisfy mom, because he hates salad, and then he sends it to dad. Mare watches the chicken and I know she wants the thigh so I take a drumstick. But Kilorn knows too and he takes it even though he likes breast meat. Mare takes a breast and passes the chicken, Kilorn switches their pieces to get her to smile. Diana is dishing for mom at the same time as herself so she's a bottle neck on the potatoes. Food dishes are flying around in two directions. I nudge Mare and nod at Cal, who's given up between our brothers. His plate is empty except for a bread slice.

"Ouch!" Tramy jumps. Mare's kick is well placed and Mom looks up. Her evaluation is swift.

"Bree, Tramy! Shame on you," her wooden spoon reaches Tramy, but not Bree. She gets Cal on the knuckles and gasps. "Not you! I'm sorry. Beat my brat down there will ya?"

Mare kicks at Bree but also gets Cal. I help her with a swift shot to my brother's knee. I revel in the shock on his face. No one expects me to lash out, but it's fun to pick on my brothers.

"It's just a little fun... Can't bring home a boyfriend and expect to get off free." Tramy rubs his head.

Cal shimmers silver. I've never seen a silver blush before. "It's okay, Mrs. Barrow."

"We aren't a bunch of ruffians, I swear." Dad backhands Bree across the back of the head.

"He'll get them back on the field," Mare chimes. She passes potatoes across the table.

"Guess that means it's me and Bree on the A team, who you want with you and Calvin on the B team?" Bree pushes the bread basket in front of Cal. Cal takes it and sets it in front of mom.

Not me... She'll pick Kilorn. Then Tramy will have to pick me. But I'll be last. I'm always last for teams.

"Cameron."

Oh my God. They'll pick Kilorn and I'll be on Mare's team. I'm never on Mare's team, and with Cameron. My face is getting hot.

"Ouch, eh Warren? Fishboy is ours."

"Bad move, Mare," Kilorn mumbles around food.

And now, me.

"Diana," Mare declares.

Shit.

"Dad," Bree claims.

I'm better than Dad, aren't I? But then I'm with Mare and Cameron.

"Oh no, I'm not ruining what I just got," Dad refuses.

"It's uneven though," Tramy begs.

"Don't be mean, take your sister," Mom's insistence doesn't help my flush.

"What, uh... What are we playing?" Cal asks, his plate finally full.

"Bash the boyfriend," Bree snickers, and another smack.

"Soccer," Mare states.

"Oh, cool. I'm good at soccer," Cal smiles. He's put a sign on his back with that remark. Watching Kilorn trade glances with the other side, I don't think Cal is gonna get off the ground enough to show his skill.