Sara's Thanksgiving had not exactly been what she had envisioned about the holiday. She had planned earlier in the year to do up the holiday seasons right for once in her life. Candy and costumes to greet Trick-or-Treaters with, a big Thanksgiving spread (although Gil would have to make his own turkey), and finally a real Christmas complete with tree, trimmings, stockings, and gifts.

But that was before some psycho had kidnapped her and left her in the desert to die.

So instead she had ignored Halloween, and was gone from her "home" before Thanksgiving was even a thought.

Her mother had done a pretty good job at the holiday dinner. A tofurkey, lots of sides, pumpkin pie, and Sara's childhood favorite, Italian cream cake. The smells of cooking and the warmth of her mother's smile eased the heart ache she felt at being away from the place she now called home.

Feeling melancholy was a typical holiday response for her. Her childhood holidays were marred with violence; her adult ones had been spent either alone or at work. Rather than dwell on the bad things though, she took out some stationery from her mother's desk and started writing.

Things I Am Thankful For:

Being Alive.

Knowing Love.

My Education.

Reconnecting with my family.

Having had a home where I felt safe.

Friendship.

Gil

She stared at the list, the last one staring accusingly up at her from the lavender paper. She had spent nearly a decade in one relationship or another with him, and she was thankful for every single one of the days she had known him. Even when he had caused her pain, in the end, it had all been worth it.

She had read a quote once about courage by Helen Keller. "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." Picking up her phone, she decided to brave whatever hurt he might be feeling and let him know that he was the thing she was most thankful for in her life.