Chapter 8 - No Problem
The first Thanksgiving after the incident, Claire refused to host.
Then refused to travel.
Then, the week before, changed her mind.
Not about travel.
About Thanksgiving.
“We should do it here,” she said.
Ben looked up from chopping carrots.
“You sure?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
Claire looked toward the living room where Ethan and Tyler were playing a video game, Tyler dramatically losing and pretending it was strategic.
“Because I don’t want the holiday to belong to her.”
Ben set the knife down.
“What do you want?”
“No steak.”
He smiled faintly.
“No steak.”
“No surprise dishes.”
“No one in the kitchen alone.”
“Done.”
“No speeches about gratitude.”
“Claire.”
“I mean it.”
“Done.”
“And paper plates.”
Ben blinked.
“Paper plates?”
“I am not listening to ceramic break.”
His face softened.
“Paper plates.”
They hosted twelve people.
Not the old family.
The safer one.
Allison and Tyler.
Mara, who claimed she had no plans and brought a pie that looked professionally made because it was.
A neighbor Claire liked.
Ethan’s science teacher, who had recently moved to town and could not fly home.
Ben burned the rolls.
Everyone cheered.
Before dinner, Ethan stood beside Claire in the kitchen.
He was thirteen now.
Taller.
Still observant.
Still careful with smells.
“Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“I know what the cranberry sauce is supposed to smell like.”
She looked at him.
“And?”
“It smells right.”
Claire smiled.
“Good.”
He hesitated.
“Do you still think about it?”
“Yes.”
“Me too.”
She wiped her hands on a towel.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not now.”
“Okay.”
He looked toward the dining room.
“I’m glad you hit Tyler’s fork.”
Claire laughed softly.
“Me too.”
Tyler called from the table, “I heard that.”
Ethan yelled back, “Good.”
They ate turkey.
Mashed potatoes.
Cranberry sauce.
Green beans.
Pie.
No one called anyone dramatic.
No one forced a bite.
No one mocked fear.
When Ethan declined a dish, Ben said, “No problem.”
That was all.
No problem.
May you like
Two words.
A whole repaired world inside them.
