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The delicious aroma of so many different food assaulted Gordo's nose and he felt his stomach rumble in anticipation. What bit of table wasn't lined with plates, glasses and eating utensils, was covered in food dishes. From what he could see now, there was mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, stuffing, then turkey. Suddenly his mother pulled on his arm. Taking the hint he plopped down into the free chair between his parents.
He glanced at the way everyone else was situated. Miranda was between her parents, Lizzie, also between hers, with Matt on her father's side and José on her mother's. Repressing a sigh at the confusion that lurked beneath the surface o the tranquil environment, he slid into his chair and clenched his hands beneath the table.
His mother noticed his body language and reached out and gently patted his knee. He glanced up at her and smiled. If only she had any idea what kind of mood he was really in.
Jo looked around the table and smiled. Gordo smirked as he caught Lizzie's panicked expression as she rested her head against her hands and closed her eyes.
"First off," Jo began. "I want to thank our guest for coming over today. Even though it's been a different experience, this will probably be one of the best Thanksgivings that I will ever have. So, I'd like to start off. I'm thankful that we've had this wonderful time and we have wonderful children who have bless our lives in so many ways."
During her speech, everyone had clasped their hands and dropped their heads. Nothing was said for several seconds and Gordo peered up in time to see Jo glare at her daughter and give her a sharp nudge in the ribs.
Lizzie let out a small squeak. "Um. . .I'm thankful for a great family, and friends."
"I'm thankful the house survived today with seven more people than it's used to," Sam stated.
Gordo heard a slight scoff from somewhere around the table, but couldn't place it.
"I'm glad that dinner is finally done, and Mom didn't burn everything," Matt muttered.
"Matthew," Jo growled.
Daniella let out a soft sigh. "I'm thankful that we could bring our daughter up in such a wonderful neighborhood and she could have such wonderful friends."
"I'm grateful that. . .I don't want to repeat someone else's," Miranda muttered. Gordo held back a snicker as she rushed on. "I'm grateful that it's our last year of high school and we've survived it."
"I'm thankful that everyone with us today is in good health," Edward stated. "May that health follow them for the rest of their lives."
Gordo heard his father clear his throat. He tried not to worry, but it was always nerve racking when your parent was about to make a speech. "I'm thankful that our lives have been colored by the many personalities and people that we've been blessed to meet. That our children have potential to become anything they'd like. I'm thankful that we have been spared tragedy from effecting our lives."
Now it was his turn. Gordo moaned inwardly, completely agreeing with Miranda. He didn't want to repeat anything, and many things had already been said. "I'm thankful that even when I act a little strange, I still have a great support system behind me," he began. "I'm thankful that my parents understand when I need space and know when to leave me alone. I'm thankful that even though I've never had any siblings, Matt can still come to me for advice. I'm thankful that Miranda always knows when there's something I'm not saying. And, I'm thankful for Lizzie, because Lizzie is my best friend, I've know her my whole life, and I wouldn't know what to do without her."
He was tempted to say more. He almost said more, but not now, not in front of everyone.
Roberta laughed softly. "I'm thankful I have such an articulate son, a thoughtful husband, and a wonderful circle of friends who have blessed me in so many ways."
"I'm thankful that I was invited into a wonderful home, and that I get to experience a real family dinner," José said softly.
There was a collective 'amen' as heads around the table were raised. Gordo glanced at Lizzie. She stared into his eyes for several minutes, then dropped her gaze. For a panicked moment, he thought she'd figured it out and was trying to brush him off. Then with a laugh, he convinced himself that he hadn't said anything that could have been taken the wrong way.
He finally got a helping of all the foods then glanced down at his watch. The deadline he'd set for himself was drawing closer. And the longer he thought about it, the more he began to convince himself that it was a bad idea.
The delicious aroma of so many different food assaulted Gordo's nose and he felt his stomach rumble in anticipation. What bit of table wasn't lined with plates, glasses and eating utensils, was covered in food dishes. From what he could see now, there was mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, stuffing, then turkey. Suddenly his mother pulled on his arm. Taking the hint he plopped down into the free chair between his parents.
He glanced at the way everyone else was situated. Miranda was between her parents, Lizzie, also between hers, with Matt on her father's side and José on her mother's. Repressing a sigh at the confusion that lurked beneath the surface o the tranquil environment, he slid into his chair and clenched his hands beneath the table.
His mother noticed his body language and reached out and gently patted his knee. He glanced up at her and smiled. If only she had any idea what kind of mood he was really in.
Jo looked around the table and smiled. Gordo smirked as he caught Lizzie's panicked expression as she rested her head against her hands and closed her eyes.
"First off," Jo began. "I want to thank our guest for coming over today. Even though it's been a different experience, this will probably be one of the best Thanksgivings that I will ever have. So, I'd like to start off. I'm thankful that we've had this wonderful time and we have wonderful children who have bless our lives in so many ways."
During her speech, everyone had clasped their hands and dropped their heads. Nothing was said for several seconds and Gordo peered up in time to see Jo glare at her daughter and give her a sharp nudge in the ribs.
Lizzie let out a small squeak. "Um. . .I'm thankful for a great family, and friends."
"I'm thankful the house survived today with seven more people than it's used to," Sam stated.
Gordo heard a slight scoff from somewhere around the table, but couldn't place it.
"I'm glad that dinner is finally done, and Mom didn't burn everything," Matt muttered.
"Matthew," Jo growled.
Daniella let out a soft sigh. "I'm thankful that we could bring our daughter up in such a wonderful neighborhood and she could have such wonderful friends."
"I'm grateful that. . .I don't want to repeat someone else's," Miranda muttered. Gordo held back a snicker as she rushed on. "I'm grateful that it's our last year of high school and we've survived it."
"I'm thankful that everyone with us today is in good health," Edward stated. "May that health follow them for the rest of their lives."
Gordo heard his father clear his throat. He tried not to worry, but it was always nerve racking when your parent was about to make a speech. "I'm thankful that our lives have been colored by the many personalities and people that we've been blessed to meet. That our children have potential to become anything they'd like. I'm thankful that we have been spared tragedy from effecting our lives."
Now it was his turn. Gordo moaned inwardly, completely agreeing with Miranda. He didn't want to repeat anything, and many things had already been said. "I'm thankful that even when I act a little strange, I still have a great support system behind me," he began. "I'm thankful that my parents understand when I need space and know when to leave me alone. I'm thankful that even though I've never had any siblings, Matt can still come to me for advice. I'm thankful that Miranda always knows when there's something I'm not saying. And, I'm thankful for Lizzie, because Lizzie is my best friend, I've know her my whole life, and I wouldn't know what to do without her."
He was tempted to say more. He almost said more, but not now, not in front of everyone.
Roberta laughed softly. "I'm thankful I have such an articulate son, a thoughtful husband, and a wonderful circle of friends who have blessed me in so many ways."
"I'm thankful that I was invited into a wonderful home, and that I get to experience a real family dinner," José said softly.
There was a collective 'amen' as heads around the table were raised. Gordo glanced at Lizzie. She stared into his eyes for several minutes, then dropped her gaze. For a panicked moment, he thought she'd figured it out and was trying to brush him off. Then with a laugh, he convinced himself that he hadn't said anything that could have been taken the wrong way.
He finally got a helping of all the foods then glanced down at his watch. The deadline he'd set for himself was drawing closer. And the longer he thought about it, the more he began to convince himself that it was a bad idea.
