Enjoy the rest of the fiasco. :) Hopefully yawl's thanksgiving wasn't this crazy.

Also I broke this chapter and next one up because it was just getting too long in one go.

"Talking"

Thinking

Everyone filed into the Boarding House to sit down at the extra long dining table. A few extra tables had been set up to accommodate the extra guests. The children were supposed to be sitting at their own table but they seemed content to get up and run around. The pack of them darting to their table scarfing down a few scraps of food before running excitedly up the stairs again.

"Boys! Sit down and finish eating right this instant!" A combination of the matriarchal voices called up the stairs.

The boys seemed to obediently lumber back down the stairs. They rushed to the table and devoured the rest of their food.

"There we're done Mom! Going to play now!" the boys all agreed at once without waiting for permission.

The pack darting back upstairs as the mothers in the house shook their heads with a laugh. Children would be children after all.

"At least they've eaten." Stella said with a sigh.

"Oh, they'll be begging for a snack later." Mai said with an eyeroll.

The ladies laughed and finally joined the table with everyone else. Phil sat on one end of the table, with a seat reserved for Gertie who was strangely absent from the table. The boarders filling up one length of the table. Arnold and Helga sandwiched somewhere in the middle. Her parents across from them, while his parents sat on the far other end.

The conversations were tame and subdued as they all passed food around the table. Susie offering the carrot casserole to Helga. Helga took the dish and turned her nose up.

"No thanks, smells kinda off this year." she handed it to Arnold who gave her a curious look.

"But you love carrots, honey?" Miriam said raising a brow at her daughter's sudden change in palate.

Helga waved her down, "Just doesn't seem appetizing that's all. Don't blow a gasket, sheesh."

"Suit yourself." Phil scooped a giant heap of the carrot casserole on his plate, but after taking a huge bite he yelled, "POOKIE! You put raspberries in the CARROT casserole?!"

The manic laughter of the woman in question could be heard echoing in the stairwell but she made no appearance.

Everyone was content to wait and pass each item in turn, but Mr. Kokoshka just couldn't help himself.

"Oh come on Susie, passing the rolls is a normal thing people do. Eh-heh?" Mr. Kokoshka said meekly holding his hands out so she could pass the bowl across to him instead of letting it make it's way around the table.

Susie gave the man a sharp look, but picked the bowl up and handed it to them. A squeak left her at the sensation of him trying to hold her hand briefly. The bowl dropped unceremoniously in the middle of the table.

"This is what I'm talking about! We're over Oskar! Just get over it already." She jabbed her finger at the man, and folded her arms harshly.

"It was an accident, eh-heh. A simple mistake."

"Like marrying you apparently."

"Hey now, if I had a lot more money you'd change your mind?" he offered with another chuckle.

She rolled her eyes severely.

"Because soon I'll be coming into a lot of money."

"Hey, hey, don't get ahead of yourself Kokoshka, you have to prove it first." Mr. Potts chimed in.

"Prove what, Oskar?" Susie said thinning her eyes at him.

"It's not important. Eh-heh. And it is true." he pointed back at Mr. Potts, "See look at how much food is on her plate. No way she eats that much all the time. Eh-heh."

Arnold elbowed Helga to get her to look up.

"What?" she hissed glancing towards where he was pointing.

"They're talking about how much you're eating." he snickered.

"What?! You got something to say fish-man?" Helga snarked towards Mr. Kokoshka.

He raised his hands defensively, "I'm just saying that's a lot of food for a little girl. That's all, Eh-heh."

"In case you haven't noticed I'm not little anymore."

"I wasn't going to draw attention to the extra pounds, but it's expected eh-heh."

Helga looked ready to jump across the table, "You're lucky we're in the middle of dinner."

Arnold held her arm, "Mr. Kokoshka, even if Helga had put on some weight, you shouldn't say that."

Helga shot him a look that said 'not helping'. Arnold let out a nervous laugh.

"That still doesn't prove anythingggg." Mr. Potts drawled his words and waved his spoon around.

"I'll prove it. You wait and see." Mr. Kokoshka laughed again rubbing his hands together.

Helga finally sat down at Arnold's urging. He really didn't fancy an all out brawl so early into their meal.

"Why the hell is that moron saying I put on weight and worried about how much I'm eating?" Helga hissed at her boyfriend.

"Well, you know Mr. Kokoshka has always been weird. He probably has some stupid bet going on with the other boarders." He shrugged, I can't blame her for being upset, but what does she expect me to do?

"Why the heck would their bet involve me, Hair Boy?"

Arnold gave an even bigger shrug, "Does it really matter? Just ignore them."

"Only for you, dearest." she sassed shoving a bite of food in her mouth scowl evident, If that man makes another comment like that, gathering or not, I'm decking him into next Thursday!

So as everyone delved into their own side conversations at the table, Bob just couldn't help, but comment on a situation that seemed curious at best.

He glanced towards Mai who was sitting across the table next Mr. Hyunh.

"So that your wife, Hyunh?" He said around of bite of food.

Mr. Hyunh and Mai look flustered at the random question, but Mr. Hyunh answered, "No, she's my daughter."

"Hm, where's the mister then? You raising them in a broken home?" Bob's gaze sharply pointed at Mai.

Mai sputtered a little at the random and rude accusation. Mr. Hyunh looked ready to come across the table.

Helga leaned towards Arnold to whisper, "Cause my home life was so functional just because I had two parents."

The teens giggled a little to themselves.

Mai straightened up in her chair, giving the man a sharp look of her own, "No, he's working today."

"Really? Who can't get Thanksgiving off?" Bob's brows raise as he shoveled more food into his mouth.

"He's a doctor!" she scoffed.

"You are so rude!" Mr. Hyunh shouted pointing at the man.

"Way to go Bob—" Helga pointed, "Can't you think before you opening your pie hole?"

"Hey now little lady, don't sass your old man. I am being nice. I'm asking questions, ain't I?" his fork flailing around as he spoke.

"All the wrong questions!"

Bob gave another dramatic eyeroll, while Mai and Mr. Hyunh glared daggers at the man. Arnold was trying his best not to crack up at their antics.

Helga continued, scowl deepening, "Nancy didn't bring her man either, in case you didn't notice! Not curious about that?"

"Well, there's no mystery—just look at her. An absolute train wreck. Its obvious why he's not here." he spun his finger in a circle as though it was the most basic thing ever.

Nancy gasped a little at suddenly being brought into the conversation, but shrugged her shoulders as though he wasn't technically wrong. Still shouldn't say it, but not wrong.

"Criminy!" Helga stood and slammed her hands on the table, "You're so embarrassing! Just eat your food Bob and listen."

"I'm just saying Mai is very put together and it'd be weird if the kids were in broken home." his gaze darting away as he petitioned someone else for more food.

Helga rolled her eyes, and lolled her head back, before turning her attention back to the other ladies with blush evident, "Sorry, Nancy. Sorry, Mai."

"Oh, it's okay, don't worry about it." Nancy said with a dismissive wave.

"Yeah, you shouldn't get so worked up given your circumstances." Mai said urging her to sit.

Helga raised a brow as she sat down, "I mean, just because he's been like this my whole life doesn't mean I shouldn't call him out."

The ladies giggled and a few other chuckled before the conversation turned to something else.

Helga elbowed Arnold and raised her hand as though confused about what they could possibly be laughing about now. The boy shrugged and continued eating.

He heard the familiar sound of bickering at the other end of the table.

He tried not to look.

He really did.

He glanced to the side knowing full well the sounds of his parent's hushed whisper-arguing.

It was ridiculous really.

Everyone was here— did they really think they were fooling anyone?

Arnold let out a sigh. Ever since college was around the corner Miles just couldn't seem to back off about his schooling. His parents had been arguing more often, but he knew it was only because of him.

He wasn't exaggerating when he asked why his parents never really argued.

Because they had never really argued until this point.

It made him pretty frustrated to think he was the cause of their more recent spats.

That if he just conceded to what his father had been suggesting that maybe things could go back to normal. That he wouldn't be the cause of the strain on his parents relationship anymore.

But after hearing his father actually voice his concerns about Helga being a distraction straight to her face, no less, he didn't see what other conclusion his father could've drawn.

Arnold glanced towards the side, he watched Helga for a moment, But I don't want that. Even if it meant my parents not arguing. Maybe Helga's right, well be out of sight soon enough. Maybe I'm worried about nothing.

He didn't even want to think about breaking up with her. That wasn't an option for him. He meant it when he told her if his family disowned him, he wouldn't bail on her.

He just hoped it wouldn't come to that.

They hadn't been eating very long when it happened. The sudden smell of burning wafted into the dining room. A billow of dark smoke following the smell.

"Did we leave the oven on—" Stella said as she stood up to go inspect the kitchen.

Arnold noticed that the smoke was coming the opposite way of the kitchen. His eyes widened as he realized that it was possible something was actually on fire.

He sprinted out of his seat and towards the stairwell. He pulled out their small fire extinguisher and made a mad dash towards the smoke billows.

He could hear the dining room start to sound panicked as everyone now wondered what was happening. He walked into the living room to see two of the middle graders sitting near the curtains—which were on fire at this point.

"We didn't mean to!" The one boy squeaked.

They both looked too terrified to move.

"Go tell everyone to get outside. And call 911." Arnold ushered them out of the way.

The boys scampered into the kitchen.

The flames starting to lick the ceiling. With a few bursts and waves of the extinguisher, Arnold was able to curb the flames from the curtains. A few more bursts from the device finally snuffed out the remaining fire. He let out a heavy sigh as he inspected the damaged curtains. The singe marks on the ceiling and darkened edges of the couch.

The fire department still showed up a few minutes later with the sirens blazing. Arnold made his way out the door as the fireman ran inside. He hugged the edge of the stairs as the firemen ran in and out. They ordered him to go across the street with everyone else, so he reluctantly shuffled to the other side of the street.

Everyone stood in a gaggle of commotion. Complaints thrown around, the boys scolded thoroughly for even trying to play with a lighter in the first place.

"Pookie, I thought you were watching the boys!?" Phil demanded glancing around for his wife.

But there was no sight of Gertie which left the man scratching his head. Luckily the fire had been small, and pretty much put out, but if she was still inside that was problematic at best.

"What are you all doing over there?! It was a simple campfire!" Gertie suddenly yelled from the rooftop, full tribal garb now. A few of the other children next to her in a similar get-up.

"Pookie! Get down from there! That was dangerous and you know it!" Phil yelled shaking his fist.

"Down with the city folk! Drive them from the village!" she cackled back with dramatic fist pumps. The children around her shaking their sticks in the air and letting out whoops.

"No more adults! Kids and Fairies only!" the boys chanted.

"Geez, Grandma..." Arnold sighed covering his face.

After a few minutes, a fireman came out and gave the family the all clear.

Arnold kept his face covered as their family walked back inside. His fingers rubbing his face in a meager attempt to soothe the inner turmoil.

It wasn't his fault, but he didn't see how the day could get any worse.

They literally almost burned down the Boarding House for goodness sakes.

"So Arnoldo, did a lion jump through that hoop of fire or?" Helga elbowed him playfully.

"Just go back inside." His face still covered and voice tight.

After the excitement of dinner, and the building almost burning down, a few of the people who hadn't worked on cooking were now cleaning up the table. The people walking from the dining room and into the kitchen to package up the food and put the dishes in the sink and dishwasher.

The rest of the adults decided to convene in the living room for some after dinner drinks. Almost everyone in the little living room was loaded down with some kind of alcoholic beverage. The men jostling each other and having a good laugh about something or other.

Clinking their drinks together and carrying on like a bunch of drunk frat boys. It was clearly a sight to see these different men who'd been in a big competition earlier, now presumably the best of friends.

But Thanksgiving was weird like that.

Susie sloshed her alcoholic drink around. A dazed look on her face as she continued to ramble about how much she couldn't wait to get divorced already.

"I mean I just don't know what you were waiting for, dear?" Nancy said shaking her head as she nursed a drink of her own.

Miriam stood nearby still content to drink lemonade. But the crowd was definitely starting to get to her. The tense air of so many bodies crammed into a tight area. A few people bumped by on their trek to the kitchen or outside to the front stoop.

"Well, it was so hard because he kept saying he'd change. He'd make a little change and then go right back to what he was doing before." Susie said with a sigh, "I just feel dumb for letting it go on this long."

"You're not dumb." Miriam offered quietly, "If someone says they'll change, you expect them too."

Susie downed her glass of wine in a big slosh. She wobbled a little at the sudden wooziness it brought. She took a few steps into the kitchen to the fridge and tottered back down the stairs with a new bottle of wine. Dumping out a generous amount into her glass, and offering Nancy some more.

"Just a little more, I'll need to check on my baby soon." Nancy said taking a smaller amount.

It was evident that Susie was practically wasted at this point and Nancy was merely tipsy. But still, she had a young baby to take care of who was napping upstairs at this point.

The ladies turned to Miriam, "Want some? You probably need to take the edge off too."

Miriam waved her hands, "No I'm good. Why would I need to take the edge off? We're having a lovely time."

"Well, because of Bob, of course!" Susie slightly slurred, "That man is probably impossible to deal with without a drink."

"Amen. He's so unbelievably rude. Did you hear him at the table?" Nancy said shaking her head.

Miriam clutched her drink a little tighter. She felt pretty embarrassed to hear them continue talking about her husband like that. Truthfully, the thought of divorcing him had crossed her mind several times now that she was sober enough to realize exactly how he was.

But she wasn't exactly innocent either, and Bob had been making little improvements here and there. So for now, it was enough that he was at least trying to work on himself.

After awhile, Susie was ready to pass out. In her drunken haze handed their drinks off to Miriam to hold so she could sit down. Nancy stretched a little and started making her way upstairs to check on her baby.

Miriam blinked for a moment. The alcohol right there in her hands. A glass of wine. How long had it been since she'd last had a drink now? The liquid seemed to taunt her. It was so tempting to take a sip. With the stress of the festivities, the claustrophobic feeling of the crowd, every attempt to make memories with her youngest ending in abject failure.

She took the glasses and wormed the bottle under her arm. Walking towards the kitchen she managed to cross paths with Helga and Arnold. The pair standing in the kitchen with sodas in hand.

Her daughter stared at her for a moment.

Miriam looked like a deer in the headlights.

"Now honey, I know this looks bad—"

"If you want to pass out, that's on you." Helga said with a shrug, before weaving around her mother and out the archway. Arnold hot on her heels.

Miriam let out a sigh as she reached the sink. She dumped the wine glasses. Securing the cap on the wine bottle and returning it to the fridge. She topped off her lemonade and leaned on the counter for a minute. Another thick sigh heavy in her throat. She knew if she tried to explain herself now, it would probably end in more rejection.

So she returned to the living room to mingle some more and try to think of the best things to say.

As soon at the young couple had made it down the hallway, hovering by the back door, Arnold broke the silence with a flustered appearance.

"Helga, I'm so sorry. I made sure there wasn't any alcohol in the house yesterday. I asked everyone to honor that—"

"It's fine," she waved him down, "Miriam should have more self control."

"But that means so far you've been right about everything." Arnold held his head, She must be miserable! Keeping it together to make me happy because this is what I thought would be a good idea...

She snorted laughter, "It's almost like I live with them or something? Known them seventeen years, I think?"

"I just wanted us to have a good time." He said sorely, She's probably being nice right now, and she'll really chew me out later...

"Hey, relax, it's not like I didn't expect this. It's not always rainbows and sunshine with family. You should know that by now."

"I mean I do, but I just..." he let out another sigh with a head shake.

She took his shoulders gently, "You're not responsible for everyone's happiness."

He looked up at this. She gave him a quick kiss before motioning to the door, "Let's go out, it's getting stuffy in here."

What do you think will happen next?