Thanksgiving was to be a full-on family affair, and Bass was excited. There would be ten adults and five kids, with another on the way. Miles, Laura, Zeke, Connor, Camilla, and Emmett with one-month-old Cassie. Gene and Rose and, of course, Maddie and Warren. It would be the first time they were all together as a group, even though they had continued to the tradition of once-a-week dinners.

Bass had gone to the town council, borrowed two long tables and chairs from the school, and set them up outside on the covered porch.

The week before, Camilla spent the day with Charlie at the Thompson's, learning how to make pies. Each family would be bringing something to the dinner.

Standing behind Charlie with his arms wrapped around her swollen belly and nuzzling her neck, Bass and Charlie watched the sunrise. Their baby was due in January. The day was dawning, and it was looking to be a glorious, clear day and would be warming up nicely. Just perfect.

Later that afternoon, while sipping whiskey, the men watched the children as the women finished preparing dinner. At 2:00, Charlie called everyone to a very full table. There were two turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing, squash, fresh bread, and warm fresh bread and butter.

Once everyone was settled, Bass was at the head of the table with Charlie to his right. Miles was seated at the other end, with the rest of the family filling in.

Standing and preparing to ceremoniously carve the first turkey, Bass faced his family, the family that he had so longed to have. "It's fantastic having you all here. Family is sacred…" as he spoke, a tear escaped. He could feel the presence of his mother, father, and sisters and of Shelly. They would always be with him, but with his family now together, the emptiness is gone, and he could enjoy their memory. Charlie leaned over and kissed the tear away.

Then Miles bellowed from the far end of the table, "Alright! Enough Dickhead! Carve that God damn chicken and pass the potatoes!"

You can't go back and change the beginning

But you can start where you are and change the ending

C.S. Lewis