Thanksgiving woes

 

"Oh, it's gonna be a late one," Jade said about Thanksgiving. She would go to her sister's for lunch. It would just be the three of them. Really, Jade felt that was her real Thanksgiving even if it wasn't with Ari. After all, he and Justin were going to make pies and they would be over to his sister's around six where they would have dinner with Mona and Hoyt.

"But don't you and Ari do something together on Thanksgiving?" Liv asked on the International phone call.

"Oh, I dunno," Jade shrugged. Of course, he always wanted to start the day out with a jog, a shower together, and having a bagel during the Macy's parade. Really, it was a lounging day except for dressing up and then dressing down, again. "Of course, we always make pumpkin pie."

"That's what we're doing," Liv told her about Woo. His sister liked to cook too.

"How's that going?" Jade hoped they were all getting along.

"I know she doesn't like me, but you know," Liv didn't sound as if it was awful. "Are you OK with Justin being there?"

"I just don't know what to say," Jade felt he was a mute subject. They talked a bit more about everyone. Of course, Liv told her she loved her. "I love you too, but I'll love you more if you call your mother."

Pan just wanted to veg in front of his old computer. He bit into an apple and then thought he heard something from the kitchen. He winced. What was going on? Had Sammie and Gabe found a way to use his kitchen?

He got up and opened his door. There was Rox and she was putting some cream cheese in a bowl to make a quick cheesecake batter to bake in a ready-made graham cracker crust.

"I'm going to Nonnie's  for Thanksgiving."

"What about your folks?" He glared at her as if she was better off playing the invalid at her mother's.

"What about them?" She glared right back. Still, he watched her. It was as if she'd found a new purpose of some kind.

"I guess you are going to Sammie and Gabe's," she went on with the mixing and pouring and popped it in the oven. She searched in every kitchen cabinet until she found the can of cherry pie filling.

"Well, they'll probably go to Rico's," he shrugged. "They said they'd bring me back a plate."

"Good." She gave him a sullen look as if she had no time for him. She set the timer and took it with her to her room.

Pan sighed. He guessed he was glad she was back, but why wasn't she talking to him? Asking him how he was or if he was OK? Suddenly, their place felt so much more empty than he'd ever realized.