My best friend, my prince, my soul mate

By Caroline Prince

            Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews... but I really need more!

Ugh! Do I really have to say it? The characters are not mine, but if you do know a place where they are sold... for free... mail me! I'll be there before you can say your name backwards ;-)

Chapter 4 : The worst thanksgiving ever

Unbeknownst to Chandler, his parents' marriage had reached the breaking point. A shocking revelation from Charles Bing put the final nail in the coffin. An utterly bewildered Nora finally extended a request for divorce.

But the hardest part was yet to come, telling their nine year old son the truth. Nora wondered how she was supposed to explain something like this to a nine year old. It would shatter his world and he would be forced to face the grim realities of life. His innocence would be lost.

Come to think of it, even Nora was unable to come to terms with her husband's way of life. She had once loved him or so she thought. Because in truth the marriage began to fall apart after Chandler was born. While Nora tried to be a devoted mother, her husband distanced himself. She tried to seek comfort in her little boy. But even her son's babyish little ways could not make up for the hurt she felt. The bitter truth would remain, Charles never bonded with his son the way that was expected of him. And now she knew why.

She decided to break the news over Thanksgiving dinner. Little did she know about the effect it would have on Chandler for the rest of his life. Little did she realize what Thanksgiving was going to mean to Chandler after this. Little did she know that she had just made the worst decision ever.

*******

Nora's heart ached as she watched her son bound eagerly towards the table, his eyes wide at the sight of the various dishes on the table. She glanced at Charles who wore a look of indifference. Her son's excited voice broke into her thoughts.

"Happy Thanksgiving!", Chandler said bouncing on his chair.

Nora smiled sadly, "Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart."

"Happy Thanksgiving, Dad!" Chandler addressed his dad.

Charles merely smiled and ruffled his hair.

They began to eat.

As she watched Chandler dole out pumpkin pie onto his plate, Nora knew it was now or never.

"Chandler" she began "We have to talk."

"OK", Chandler said shoving a forkful of pie into his mouth.

"Your dad and I", she took a deep breath and continued "we're getting divorced."

Chandler looked up, his mouth full of the pie. His beautiful eyes were widened with shock, pleading for denial. Swallowing with difficulty he stammered "What? Why?" Nora was silent. Desperately, he turned to his father, "Is this true?"

Charles looked away. For once, he was unable to look at his son's stricken face.

Nora attempted to comfort her son, "Now Chandler dear, just because your father and I are getting a divorce it doesn't mean we don't love you." she paused and delivered the final blow, "It just means he would rather sleep with the house-boy than me."

Chandler's eyes widened. He looked back at his father, anger and disappointment coursing through him.

Feeling the tears sting, Chandler closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he asked "Why?"

"Why what?" Nora asked.

"Why today?"

"What?"

"WHY TODAY?!!!", he yelled. "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE TODAY?!!"

"I don't understand.", Nora was slowly realizing the blunder she'd committed.

Her son looked up, his eyes revealing just how unhappy he was. "I knew. I knew this was going to happen.", he said. "But I do wish you'd waited til' tomorrow to drop this on me."

"What difference does it make?"

"It makes a whole lot of difference" he said softly. He knew his mom would never understand and neither would his dad.

"Aren't you going to finish your pie?" Nora asked.

"No. I hate pumpkin pie."

"Do you want more turkey?"

"No."

"Why not? Come on, Chandler. It's after all Thanksgiving" Nora in an effort to console her son.

"I've just realized that I've nothing to give thanks for." He pushed his plate away and set his napkin down and walked away.

**********

He made his way to his room and plopped onto the bed. He wrapped himself in his favorite blanket.

And allowed himself to cry. And he came to one conclusion, "Thanksgiving SUCKS!!"





And that's Chapter 4! Read and Review!