I do not own.
Circe was waiting to pick up Rafael from pre- school.
The door opened and a harassed looking teacher released several small children to their parents waiting outside the door.
"Mommy, mommy look what I drawed." Rafael waved a paper in the air.
"Let me see sweetie." She plucked the paper from his eager hands. "Is that a turkey?" She asked.
"Yes, I traced my fingers. I wrote in each feather what I'm grateful for." Rafael pulled his mother's arms down so that the picture was eye-level.
"I see." Circe tried to decipher the illegible handwriting. "So the first thing you are grateful for is…"
"My family!" Rafael told her excitedly.
"Oh yes, of course." Circe bit back a laugh. "And the second says…"
"Candy!" Rafael supplied.
"I see. And the third says…"
"Pinky Panda!" Rafael declared.
"I'm sure your father would be thrilled to hear that." Circe smirked. "And I see the last feather says…"
"Nanites." Rafael finished.
Circe raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why nanites?" She looked around to make sure none of the other parents were listening in.
She and Rex had to fight for Rafael to go to a regular school. Many of the parents were afraid that since Rafael was born with active nanites he could be a danger to their own children. But Violeta had paved the way. She had been a model student so the school was willing to allow her brother to attend. Unfortunately, Rafael had problems fitting in. Some of the kids made fun of him. Rafael was confused as to why they were mean to him. His immediately family had been nothing but kind to him. The first few days he came out crying. She and Rex had meeting with the principal and teachers. They could not offer than anything better than a maybe he'd be better off at home. It infuriated Circe who was reminded of people's reaction of her when they found out she was an EVO. To their surprise, however, when they offered to keep Rafael at home, he had refused. So he continued to go to school. Things seemed to get better but he was not invited to as many parties as the other kids and he didn't seem to have many friends. Circe hurt for him but he seemed to be taking things in stride.
"So why are you thankful for nanites?" She asked carefully.
"Because it makes us special." He answered matter-of-factly. "And we can help other people with them."
Circe was stunned. Rafael did not see his nanites as a burden but as something to benefit others. For someone so young, he certainly was selfless… like his father.
She smiled. Picking him up suddenly and swinging him into the air, she placed a kiss on his cheek. He squealed in delight as she set him down.
"How about we go and get a treat?" She asked.
His eyes lit up. "I like ice cream… I didn't have room to write that but I'm grateful for ice cream too."
Circe laughed. "Sure thing sweetie. I'm grateful for ice cream too, especially chocolate."
"I like neopotin… napotino… nepotain… rainbow ice cream." Rafael finished.
"I'm not sure if they have Neapolitan but we can always make a sundae with vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate." They walked hand in hand with Circe grateful for her family.
And I am grateful for all of you. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are all doing well.