footle (v.)
to act or talk in a foolish and silly way; to mess around
* * *
WE dashed up the stairs, eager to eat.
In the dining room, a long table was set with fine china. I counted an impressive twenty-three chairs surrounding it.
All of the adults and my friends' younger siblings were serving themselves from the buffet table and sitting down to eat. I jumped in line, loading my plate with the catered turkey, potatoes, salad, and a roll.
When my plate was filled, I sat down, sandwiched between Eli and Ben at the unofficial kids' end.
"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone," Delaney's father announced, lightly tapping his knife to his glass. "Thank you for coming to celebrate with us again. On this wonderful day, I am grateful to have all of my friends and family close. This is a wonderful tradition, and I hope that we can continue even after our eldest children go off to college. Once again, Happy Thanksgiving." He elevated his champagne glass in toast.
Us kids lamely toasted our soda cans and juice boxes as the adults toasted their champagne.
"So what are you guys thankful for?" Aubrey asked the kids' end as she cut her youngest sister's turkey. When nobody responded, she said, "Well, I'll go first. I am thankful for my family. D, you're next." She jerked her head at Delaney.
"I guess I'm thankful for food," she shrugged, picking at her mac and cheese.
"I'm thankful for my amazing and beautiful girlfriend," Ethan said, prompting the younger kids to gag and whine about cooties.
The younger kids went next, each expressing thankfulness for friends or family in different wording.
"I'm thankful for everyone at this table," Eli said, glancing around the room, his warm gaze lingering on me the longest.
"Even me?" his younger brother, Jacob, asked with a glimmer of hope in his voice.
"I meant everyone but you," he joked. "That's what happens when you eat my Oreos and jelly."
Mental note to self: don't eat Eli's Oreos and jelly.
"What about me? Do you love me?" his younger sister asked with a quivering lip, looking ready to burst into tears.
"Of course, Mads. I'll always love you," he said earnestly. As soon as he looked elsewhere, she smirked and stuck her tongue out at Jacob. What a little devil.
"Um, I'm thankful for new beginnings and new friendships," I said. And I was. Without my father getting caught, I wouldn't have had the chance to start fresh and make actual friends. While I couldn't forgive him, I was weirdly thankful for his actions and the chain reaction they set off.
"I am thankful for friends and football," Ben announced after he had finished his mouthful of mashed potatoes.
"Did you accept your Revere offer?" Eli asked.
Ben smirked. "Of course, dude. Eagles Nation for the win."
We all congratulated him, and all eyes turned to Ethan, waiting for him to volunteer information.
"Are you going to accept, Ethan?" Delaney asked, addressing the elephant in the room.
"No," he admitted after a brief silence. "I decided on majoring in biochem and want to focus on school. Football's fun and all, but I don't want to play professionally. It just makes sense to stop now. Maybe I'll join a club or intramural team."
YOU ARE READING
Because of Haven Beach
Teen Fiction"The moon's really beautiful, if you think about it," I blurted. "Yeah?" he asked, mild amusement and curiosity mingling in his voice. "Yeah," I confirmed. "It's just- there's something about the moon that's ethereal. I don't really know how to desc...
