Charlie loved having dinner with his family, he loved being able to sit down with everyone and tell them about his day, he loved the smell of the food that the Oompa Loompa's would bring in for them, and he loved to see them all together, enjoying a meal and each others company. Besides dinner Charlie would never see them anymore, he was always so busy with Willy and the factory.
It was funny though, as of late things have grown rather quiet at the Bucket house. Nobody ever talked anymore, well save for Charlie. He could go on and on, telling his family anything and everything that happened that day, and even things that should have happened, but didn't. This wasn't a bad thing per say, but sometimes Charlie wished his mum could have offered her opinion on the matter, or his dad could have given him some advice. It didn't matter that much though, he still saw them, and that was what counted.
No one ever ate anymore either, once again save for Charlie, and on occasion Willy. Their forks and knives would be the only ones moving against the tender meat, and their bowls would be the only ones filled with soup. For a while Charlie thought this was rather rude. After all shouldn't his family eat the food that had been offered to them? After a time, he just figured that they would eat early, since sometimes he and Willy could work til all hours of the night, and only stay to have a bite to eat.
After dinner was over, Willy would always excuse himself, and step outside to wait for Charlie. He never minded that the man never stayed very long, he figured that the other was only trying to give them a bit of privacy, even though from the very beginning Charlie explained that anything he had to say to his family, he could say in front of Willy. Even so, it became part of the ritual, Willy would excuse himself, and Charlie would continue talking, his voice being the only one, that echoed through the small house.
Once everything was said and done, Charlie would get up from his chair and wish everyone a good night. He would walk over to his mum and dad, hugging them both and kissing their cheeks, then move to his grandparents and do the same. There was something a little different though, his lips would press against cold skin, and he wouldn't feel anyone wrap their arms around him and tell him that they loved him. They had all grown cold and stiff lately, but Charlie never quite understood why.
He didn't think much on it though, Willy was outside waiting for him, and he was warm. As long as someone was warm, and someone told him that he was good, and they loved him, it didn't bother Charlie much. After all, as long as he could walk in and see his family settled around the table waiting for him, he would be fine.