I don't own the thunderbirds or any of the recognisable characters from the series. Anyone you don't is my own creation.

Sorry for the large gaps between updates, will try harder.

Thanks to all this story's patient readers and hope you enjoy the new chapter

These Are The Times

Chapter 18

Lunch

An hour and a lot of shifting around later us and John's family were packed in around the dining table at Mr Tracy's behest that we all eat around it. The colourful mish mash of dinnerware, glasses and cutlery accrued from dusty boxes of stuff stored at the back of Erin's closet were perhaps the most interesting things at the table. Navy blue dinner plates clashed with neon green handled knives and forks. The rainbow of colours however did not make up for the lack of conversation. No-one spoke as they consumed Alyssa's stir fry or cheese and potato pie. The garlic bread had also been shared out. In fact more noise came from the TV, Alyssa had stood firm when it came to Jeff's request to change the music. Actually attempt was more accurate. After the final bars of Greenday faded out both Alyssa and Jeff had moved to the stereo. Alyssa was going to go with Franz Ferdinand, the general consensus that they were innocuous enough not to offend but interesting enough to be worth listening to. And plus The Dark of the Matinee was a really cool song.

Jeff on the other hand wanted to put on one of his country music collections, the one he always played over Thanksgiving with the reflective lyrics the idea to make everyone think about what they were thankful for. Rather than have an argument Alyssa suggested that they stop with the music and turn up the TV loud so everyone could enjoy the sporting broadcast.

I and probably everyone at the table had been through possible conversation topics and it seemed most had been vetoed. Politics, recent news, music, Cavemen vs. Astronauts, gossip. Mrs Tracy had briefly enquired about the recipes but that avenue was pretty much stymied when Alyssa directed her to the cookbook on the newly restored shelf.

John had sunk into well, a funk. He was not in the mood for mild conversation not that many people could tell just by looking at him. It seemed he had spent the past few years keeping his family self and his friends self as two different people and could not blend the two together creating one that would appease his father and not force him to distance himself from us.

Alyssa's cutlery moved over her stir fry in crazy patterns, whipping up a piece of pepper and a scrap of noodle as she attempted to draw out her dinner as long as possible, but at the same time never wasting a motion. I half expect her to start juggling her knife and fork at some point.

Erin outwardly radiated a mild, cheery disposition but inwardly she did not know what to do or how to act. She kept a close eye on her food, somewhat preoccupied with a beansprout, focusing on it and seeming occupied enough not to bother conversing.

I had taken care not to eat too fast as I did not want to finish first, that would make everything even more awkward. I had the feeling the cheap paper serviettes that we had supplied our guests with were not up to the usual standard as the woman in pink, Lady Penelope (Pretentious much?) delicately dabbed her lips with an expression of well, disguised distaste. Then again it might have been 'neutral' for her, she had given that look to everyone that wasn't part of the Tracy entourage.

Eventually, I sure to several peoples dismay plates were emptied and there was not enough for seconds. People attempted valiantly to draw out their cups of squash and fruit juice but to no avail.

"Well" Grandma Tracy said trying to shake of the silent atmosphere, rising she began to gather cutlery and cleaned plates "Scott, Virgil come help me get the washing up done, then I can start cooking the Turkey." The thought of a good thanksgiving roast perked everyone at the table up except Alyssa who blanched, if discreetly. I felt sorry for her, the last time Edgar had made Buffalo wings with his apartment door open forced Alyssa to repress her gag reflex just to get from our door to the stairs heck I nearly puked it was that bad, we only cooked meat with plenty of ventilation cause as much as I enjoy the taste, having the smell hang in the air is just not nice.

With everyone shuffling around I decided to spring into life, moving towards the others, two of John's brothers were watching the game, Jeff and the Lady were quietly conversing with her attendant unobtrusively behind them. The young girl was collecting plates whilst the Hispanic man helped Mrs Tracy unwrap the many trays that had arrived with the family.

"Yo, Bro" the red head shouted in John's direction "Ya got any nibbles"

John rolled his eyes.

"Theres a cracker selection box on top of the fridge, open that up and leave it on the coffee table"

"Good call Lyssie" Erin said stretching up for the tin.

"No sweat"

I had wondered where that had come from, in my experience food did not just randomly appear on top of the fridge but the same could be said for those flavoured coffee jars that seem to randomly appear on the counter. I've never seen that brand in any shop I ever go in.

Another mystery, another time.

For the first time in several hours I take note of what is going on outside. It wasn't the warmest day, but the gentle November sun; with wisps of white clouds sparse over the skyline I thought it would have been a nice day for Basketball. Doesn't look like that was going to happen though. There aren't many people or cars passing either, the panic buying rush of this morning had tailed off leaving peace to permeate the streets.

I felt closed in, no wonder with the amount of people in the space, it took a lot of effort sometimes to not step on someones toes normally. Sharing bedrooms was hard work at the best of times as well, it does get awkward when you need some 'time alone in a dark room' and your roommate has decided to curl up with a book.

I sat on the window box seat and pushed aside the latch, lifting up the battered frame. Air fresh and light touched my face brushing away the thick and heavy atmosphere for a moment.

"Take that back!" Was the sudden shout. I turned around, Scott was engaging in some brotherly roughhousing with Gordon. I watched carefully and winced as the battered frame of the sofa creaked. Virgil was helping his Grandmother in the kitchen.

Whilst he engaged himself in the task of opening a can Grandma Tracey stood with a slight air of confrontation in front of Alyssa. Grandma, by no means a slouch had her hands on her hips and to most people would probably look quite fierce but Alyssa, whilst skinny as a rake stood a lithe 5'7" and had her hands rather determinedly on her roasting

tin.

"Mrs Tracey, with respect that's my tin and I do not use it for cooking meat please use one of the others"

"First of all call me Grandma"

"You ain't my Grandma" Lyssie bit back, gently left hand sweeping to her hip. Her bodyweight shifted emphasising the bone and her point.

"Okay sugar" Tactical error…

"And don't patronise me I have a name"

"Okay Alyssa, but really your tin is in the best condition, and is plenty deep enough"

"I spent good money on this tin, it's great, doesn't stick, holds it shape is easy to clean and I'd rather you didn't put a great frickin turkey in there. You can cook all the veg you want in it but nothing meat related, in it. No juices, no bones no meat okay?" One hand her on hip, she meant business.

Knowing there was no more she could do without considerably souring the tense atmosphere even more for the first time in years Grandma Tracey relented. She picked up her second choice a weather worn slightly dented roasting tin that Ref inherited [nabbed from his parents.

She joined me a moment later, curling up like a coil being compressed her head lolled to the left as if she lacked the energy to keep it upright, she corrected herself a moment later as if suddenly conscious of the company.

"How are you holding up" seemed to be a better question then 'are you okay'

"Feeling a tad heady" She responded quietly. Her eyes closed again, her head rocked a moment then she opened her eyes. With a practised flick she brought her wrist up to view her watch. "Due a happy pill in half an hour anyways, I'll slip out for a lay down after that and be feeling better by dinner, sound okay?" The edges of her lips raised sheepishly as if she knew it wasn't the best thing she could say at that moment.

"Yeah" I sighed "I wouldn't mind joining you" Uh oh I should have thought that out.

A soft ha ha emitted and a gentle smile "Can't do that, it'd be rude"

"So, its not like their being stella houseguests"

"But think about it, you could be the bigger person metaphorically, not just with your lanky limbs"

"Good point"

As if to concur the sofa gave a pained squeak under the shuffling weights of my brothers.

'How long till dinner?' I wondered and 'Will I get out of this alive?'.