"Honey, can you grab the potatoes and put some on Charlie's plate for him?" Mom asks before putting some vegetables into her plate. Without hesitation, I quickly do so and receive a quiet thank you from Charlie. I rub his hair in acknowledgment and reach across the table to fill my own plate.
Tonight is Thanksgiving. Things have settled down since the court hearing a month ago. I eventually gave in and stopped avoiding everyone. Mom and I forgave each other. Don't get me wrong I'm still upset about Dad's visitation rights being taken away. But, I've come to the conclusion that anger won't change the past. I haven't seen Dad since that day, I just hope he's doing alright. I can only hope he's at the factory getting ready for Christmas.
Speaking of the factory, I haven't seen Bernard either. It's probably because I broke the bell. Which was my only way to reach him. I tried fixing it the best I could, but it's just a crumpled ball. I don't know if I'll ever see him again or how I possibly could. He's probably busy yelling at the elves as he strives for perfection this Christmas. I smile fondly at the thought.
Surprisingly Neal has been a great help with getting me out of my funk. He even took me to a Christmas festival, just us two, I desperately wish I could say I had a terrible time but it was fun. One on one he's really not too bad.
Neal currently sat across from me, Mom to my right, and Charlie to my left. We are having our big Thanksgiving dinner. We all have been trying to make the best of our sucky situation. This is exactly what I needed, some family time and food.
"So Aria, senior year is next year. What are you going to do for college?" Neal asks as soon as we start eating. Ugh, the dreaded question. I clear my throat before speaking "I-uh was thinking about traveling. You know, see the world before I make a commitment."
Mom lifts her head hesitating to speak before Neal places his hand on her arm. "I think that's a wonderful idea Aria!" He cuts her off with a smile on his face. I look at him, feeling grateful for his support "Thank you, Neal. Maybe, I'll take you to Spain with me." I tease smiling and begin cutting into my food.
"Hey! What about me!" Charlie cuts in next to me pouting but failing at holding back his smile. "Oh! I forgot all about you! You're so short I didn't even notice you sitting there!" I exclaim faking surprise. He tries to put on an angry face yet again failing. All four of us break into laughter at his attempt to stay serious.
We suddenly are cut off when the doorbell rings. Our laughter quickly dies down and Mom and Neal share a look of confusion before Neal gets up from the table to answer the door. The three of us turn around in our chairs eavesdropping. "Scott. You're not supposed to be here." We hear Neal trying to sound threatening. Mom and I look at each other in shock before shooting up out of our seats.
I quickly turn and pick Charlie up from his seat and pass him to Mom before running to the doorway with Charlie and Mom close behind me. "Don't make me beat you up, Neal." Dad says as I turn the corner to see the two men sizing each other up. Oh no, what is he doing here? "Dad?" I say in surprise but he doesn't look my way.
"Oh, would Santa really beat someone up?" Neal says crossing his arms. "I'm this close." Dad puts his pinched fingers in Neal's face before walking past him further into the house. "So you still believe you're Santa?" He snarky retorts and I almost roll my eyes. Dad shrugs his shoulders in response looking between all of us "I don't know." I see Mom put down Charlie next to me with his snowglobe Bernard gave him in his hands "What do you mean you don't know? Of course you are, Dad. How can you say that?" Charlie pouts, his eyes filled with confusion. I step forward putting my hand on his shoulder and direct my attention to Dad "Dad, what are you doing here? Don't you have somewhere else to be?" I try hinting at the factory to him.
"Yeah! Think about all those kids!" Charlie yells. Dad nervously plays with his gloved hands "The only kids I'm thinking about are you guys." He claims with his face pulled in a frown. "Dad, I'm fine. You can't let them down. They all believe in you!" Charlie raises his voice as his temper rises.
Neal shakes his head and walks over to Charlie and bends down to his level "Charlie, listen." He says in a condemning voice. Charlie stomps his foot "You listen! You think you know who he is. You don't!" Mom pushes me slightly to move out of the way as she leans down to him "Charlie. Honey, listen. You're confused." She speaks softly but Charlie isn't having any of it "I know exactly who he is." He stands his ground.
Neal's face goes stone "Charlie, he's not Santa!" he yells at him. My own anger raises and I push Charlie away from them and stand between them. "No! You listen Neal!" I yell pointing my finger at him "Don't speak to my brother that way. And you know what? Dad is Santa. I don't care how crazy I seem. The reindeers, elves, Santa's workshop, it's all true!" Neal and Mom step back in surprise at my tone. Both their eyebrows raised "Bernard is as real as it gets by the way!" I state confidently.
I throw my arms up in defeat and try to catch my breath from my outburst. I step back to stand closer to Dad and he looks at me in awe. Turning my attention to him, "Right, Dad?" I ask hopefully. Charlie steps up next to me, both of us now facing Dad "Remember!" Charlie yells before throwing the snowglobe at him and he catches it effortlessly.
It goes silent as Dad stares into the now shaken globe. I look at him with anticipation and hope in my heart. Eventually, he looks up at the globe and between Charlie and me with a smirk and joy in his eyes. Something I haven't seen in nearly a year. My own smile breaks out on my face as Dad opens his arms to Charlie and me. Without missing a beat I run and wrap my arms around the both of them. "Thank you, Aria and Charlie." He whispers in our ears. Tears fill my eyes but I don't let them fall.
Releasing from the hug all three of us look up at Mom and Neal. "Could you guys leave us alone for a minute? I mean, so I can say goodbye to them properly?" Dad asks and I look at them with hope. Mom hesitates before shaking her head yes. Neal's eyes almost bulge out of his head in shock before turning his chin up and stomping away from her. She gives us an awkward wave before following him. Leaving the three of us alone.
I turn to Dad "You have to go to the factory!" He opens his mouth to say something but is cut off by Charlie "You saw! You saw the ball come to life." Dad laughs in response "You bet I did." he smiles at him.
It goes quiet for a few moments and Dad gestures to the door "Well guys, I guess l-I better go." My face drops at this and Charlie leaves my side to run upstairs "I better go pack my stuff!" He exclaims. "Charlie no." I jump to stop him but Dad places his hand on my shoulder reassuringly and looks at me "It's okay Aria." I hesitantly nod and turn on my heels to walk back to the dinner table and give them space.
I begin stacking plates on top of each other. Dinner is definitely over for the night. Charlie is going to be absolutely heartbroken when Dad leaves. Not saying I won't because I definitely will. I just understand why we can't go with him.
"Boy, this bird is dry. Haven't you people heard about basting?" Someone speaks from in front of me. I jump out of my skin and drop the plates onto the table letting out a yelp. I quickly put my hand on my heart in shock and looked up. "Bernard!" I exclaim at the same time as Charlie in surprise. He looks up at me from the turkey leg in his hand with a smile on his face. "Hello, Aria. Didn't mean to give you a fright" I continue staring at him speechless. He stands up from the table finally looking away from me and walks over to Charlie and Dad.
"Hiya, sport." I hear him say to Charlie. Snapping out of shock, I walk out to them and stand next to Bernard. "Bernard, can I go? Please, can I go, Bernard?" Charlie begs. He shrugs his shoulders in response looking between Dad and me "It's okay with me."
A smile breaks out on my face. Bernard puts his hand on Charlie's shoulder and Dad grabs onto Charlie's hand. Bernard turns his attention to me before putting his hand out for me to grab "You comin'? No pressure." he teases me. I don't hesitate and put my hand in his "Absolutely." Our fingers wrap around each other tightly. I give him a toothy smile which he returns. "Don't let go." He tells me before a white light surrounds us.