Forget Me Not

Chapter 7

"She would grab whatever she could, a look- a whisper, a moan- to salvage from perishing, to preserve. But time is the most unforgiving of fires, and she couldn't, in the end, save it all."

-Khaled Hosseini

Aria

Marley had set the table while Alison set the food down. I wouldn't lie, it looked great, and probably tasted even better, but Alison being a housewife and cooking? I couldn't wrap my head around it, let alone my heart.

"It looks so good, mama!" Marley exclaimed. Alison smiled at everyone.

"Shall we go around and say what we're thankful for?" Marley raised her hand high in the air. "Mar, you start." Marley sat in silence tapping her chin.

"I'm thankful for my mommy and my daddy and for food and for Pricilla and-" Ezra was quick to cut her off.

"Okay, baby girl. Let Mommy go." Marley nodded and turned her head to Alison.

"I'm thankful," She turned her head from Marley to me, looking me straight in the eye. "for Ezra and him being the best father anyone could ever hope for, I'm thankful for Marley being the sweetest girl in the world," She paused, pinching her daughters cheek. "And lastly, I'm thankful to see my dear friends, Aria and Spencer, again." I could see her holding Ezra's hand under the table. Bile rose in my throat but I made sure my disgust wasn't obviously plastered on my face like it was on the inside.

"I'm thankful for spending another year healthy, and having a wonderful family." He gave Alison a kiss on the cheek, making my heart pound against my rib cage. I was in literal pain and we were barely an hour into dinner.

"Miss Aria, it's your turn!" Marley smiled cheekily. I swallowed, not because I was nervous, but because there wasn't really anything I was thankful for. Sure, there was Riley, but he was more of a curse than a blessing. I wracked my brain for something - anything. Without even thinking I blurted out.

"I'm thankful for Happiness."

A cold sweat came over me. Did Ali know the meaning of Happiness? Did she know what B-26 was? Much to her unknown dismay she nodded and continued until we made our way back to her. She threw her hands into the air as if to say 'Dig In!' Moments later I had almost an entire plate full of mashed potatoes, turkey, and vegetables that were cooked with the meat. It was quiet at first, the room only filled with moans of delight. I took an opportunity to start a conversation with Alison.

"So, Ali, did you use Jessica's recipe for this meal?" Alison stared at her plate and gulped. Jessica was always a sore subject with Alison, she had been killed by the infamous 'A' back in high school, Alison moved back with her father soon after the funeral.

"Actually, yes. Yes, I did." She smiled proudly. I smiled back politely, this dinner was filled with fake, picture-perfect smiles and lies...just like old times...

"What are you interested in, Marley?" Spencer sat next to me. She wore pale lipstick with a beige summer dress that had short sleeves; it was the only dress she had brought with her. With it she wore white, peep-toed heels.

"I really like dolls!" She bit her lip and played with her carrots. Spencer laughed.

"I like dolls, too!" When Spencer was in sixth grade, she had a major obsession with glass, China dolls.

"Mommy! Can I show Miss Spencer my dolls?" Marley showed clear excitement.

"After dinner. Eat your veggies." Marley nodded and didn't come back up for air. She gobbled up everything on her plate, and by the time she'd done so, everyone was stuffed.