Preparing To Move On

Holiday Memories Chapter 10

Thanksgiving 1939

Notes: You should all know that we own no characters from Annie and should be well aware of which characters are whose. While this story will be ending in two more chapters never fear… the new installment of the Warbucks family saga New Beginnings has already begun.

Another school year had started. Grace could hardly believe that Annie was a junior in high school. She had turned 17 at the end of October. She marveled constantly about how Annie had matured since she was adopted by her and Olive 6 years before.

The Warbucks family spent Thanksgiving in Massachusetts. Grace's sister Jennifer had flown in from Chicago for the weekend with her two children Jacob and Kathryn and they spent the holiday in Boston at her sister Melissa's apartment in Cambridge. Oliver invited his sister and his family over as well.

Jennifer and her children arrived a few days before Thanksgiving and they had a birthday party for Molly. She was turning 13. Grace couldn't believe that she had two teenagers. She often thought back to her and her sister as teens. Jen had always been sort of a rebel and Grace was always the quiet and reserved type that didn't like causing or getting into too much trouble Grace was happy that her daughters and her niece Kathryn didn't seem to show any sort of a rebellious side.

"So Annie how is the college search going?" Jennifer asked during dinner.

Annie swallowed a bite of pasta. "Good Aunt Jen. It's just getting started at this point. After Christmas we're going to start touring schools."

"Where are you considering looking?"

"My top three choices are Yale, Princeton and NYU but I am also looking into Elmira and Emerson."

Kathryn had always admired her older cousin for how well she did in school and was happy she was considering applying to Ivy Leagues. She had a good feeling she'd get accepted to Yale or Princeton.

"Do you know what you want to study yet?" her Aunt Melissa asked.

Annie shook her head. "Haven't really made any definite decisions on a major yet but I am leaning toward either English or Special Education."

Annie looked at her cousin who was a grade between her and Molly… they were like soul sisters and best friends. "How's school going for you Kaite?"

Katie grinned . "This year has been a really good year for me. I am really excited! I'm the secretary for Student Government. It's a big step for me. I've never held any type of leadership role before."

Annie squeezed her cousin's hand under the table. "That's very exciting! I'm so happy for you. Which class are you liking the best so far this year?"

Kathryn shrugged "It's a tie between Marine Biology and American Literature. What about you Annie?"

"I really like my Creative Writing class. We are writing a lot of really interesting stories. I'll have to show you my most recent one after dinner."

"That sounds great."

Grace looked at her sister.

"So are you still planning on moving out this way?"

Jen nodded.

"Yes, we still haven't decided if we are moving to Boston or New York yet. It depends where I find a job."

Annie grinned at her aunt widely. "Aunt Jen Molly and I are so happy that you guys are planning on moving out this way. We always hoped you guys would eventually move closer to us."

Jennifer got up from her seat at the table , walked over to where Annie was sitting and kissed on the forehead softly.

"We're so excited about this plan too sweetheart. The four of your have grown so close in the past four years.. seeing you all at Christmas and Thanksgiving is never enough. We hope it won't take us too long to find a place to live out here."

Melissa grinned at her oldest sister. "Don't worry Jenny. Alex and I will help you find a place in Cambridge. That way we'll be close to eachother."

Grace smiled to herself. Every year at Thanksgiving the thing she was most grateful for was her family. Both how the bond with her sisters had remained strong over the years and how the family had grown in leaps and bounds over the past several years…especially with her finding a new sister in Marlene Pugh. Marlene also lived in Massachusetts…in the south end of Boston. Grace would go into Boston for girls weekends with Annie and Molly so they could spend time with their aunts. She was glad to feel part of Mrs. Pugh's family and that Mrs. Pugh's grandchildren had grown so well adjusted to being part of the crazy Warbucks clan.

She felt a hand squeeze hers under the table and looked up from her thoughts. Her eyes met Mrs. Pugh's.

"I love you sweetheart." Mrs. Pugh whispered.

"I love you too Mama. I am grateful for this family and the time we have together everyday." Grace replied leaning over and placing a soft kiss on her surrogate mother's cheek.