One morning, Sunny and Doodle getting ready to open the Salon up for business, and Blair walked in, ready for work.
"Morning, Sunny", Blair said.
"Hey there, Blair", Sunny said, "glad to see you're right on time."
"That makes one of us", Blair said, "where's Rox?"
"She and Junior left yesterday to see their parents", Sunny said.
"They did", Blair asked, "how come?"
"It's almost Thanksgiving", Sunny said.
"Already", Blair asked.
"You bet it is", Sunny said.
Sunny pulled out a calendar and showed Blair that they were only two days away from Thanksgiving.
"Doodle and I are gonna catch the next bus back home tomorrow for Thanksgiving", Sunny said, "my family's having a big Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house."
"Oh, that's nice", Blair said.
"What about you, Blair", Sunny said, "what are your plans?"
"Oh, you know, just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill Thanksgiving dinner", Blair said.
"Oh, with your family", Sunny asked.
Sunny's words had suddenly made Blair no longer interested in talking.
"Oh, would you look at the time", Blair said, "better get ready for work before the customers start coming in."
Blair hurried over to her desk and started preparing for work, leaving Sunny feeling confused.
"What was that all about", Sunny asked.
"Search me", Doodle said.
A little later, after styling some customers' hair, Sunny, Doodle, and Blair took a lunch break, the former still feeling concerned about the latter, and decided to speak to her.
"Hey, Blair", Sunny said.
"What's up", Blair asked.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry", Sunny said.
"For what", Blair asked.
"I noticed you were looking upset this morning after talking about our Thanksgiving plans", Sunny said, "I hope it wasn't something I said."
"Oh, it's nothing", Blair said.
"You know, if something's bothering you, you can always talk to us about it", Sunny said.
"She's right", Doodle said, "you can always count on your friends to listen to your problems."
"Well, okay", Blair said.
Blair took a deep breath before telling Sunny and Doodle what was bothering her.
"You see, the thing is", Blair said, "I usually have Thanksgiving alone."
Sunny and Doodle were very surprised indeed to hear Blair say that.
"Remember last year at Parents Day when I said my parents don't usually make it to those kind of events", Blair asked, "well, they're also usually too busy to come to events like this."
"That's terrible", Sunny said.
"No one should be alone on a holiday like Thanksgiving", Doodle said.
"Eh, you get used to it", Blair said, "they also missed my birthdays since my ninth, and they're probably going to miss my wedding, too."
Hearing this made Sunny feel even more sorry for her friend, but suddenly, she got an idea.
"What if you spent Thanksgiving with me and my family", Sunny asked.
Blair was surprised to hear such a suggestion.
"Really", Blair asked.
"Of course", Sunny said, "like Doodle said, you shouldn't be alone on a holiday like this one."
"I guess not", Blair said, "but I don't want to intrude or anything."
"Oh, you're not intruding", Sunny said, "I'm sure Mom and Dad will be happy to have you."
"You really think so", Blair asked.
"I know so", Sunny said, "trust me, this is going to be the best Thanksgiving you've ever had."
"Thanks, Sunny", Blair said, "you're a true friend."
"That's what they're for", Sunny said.
The next morning, Blair went over to the bus station with her suitcase, and found Sunny and Doodle waiting for her.
"Oh good, you made it", Sunny said.
"I hope I'm not too late", Blair said.
"Not at all", Sunny said, "the bus should be here any minute."
Blair waited with Sunny and Doodle, and pretty soon, the bus pulled up to the station.
"Bus 56, departing Friendly Falls, all aboard", an announcer said.
The doors to the bus opened.
"All aboard, everyone", the driver said, "next stop: Silvergate, Georgia."
The passengers all boarded the bus, and when Blair observed the inside of it, she was, for a lack of a better word, quite disgusted.
"So this is what public transportation looks like", Blair said.
"Oh come on, it's not that bad", Sunny said.
"Yeah", Doodle said, "you just can't go wrong with mass transit."
"If you say so", Blair said.
After taking their seats, the bus drove off down the road to their destination, and Blair let out a sigh.
"This trip had better be worth me riding on a public bus", Blair thought.
A little later into the journey, Blair noticed Sunny writing in a word search book.
"I see you came prepared", Blair said.
"Oh yeah, I never ride the bus without bringing something to do", Sunny said, "I find word searches to be a pretty good way to pass the time."
"That's nice", Blair said.
"I usually pack an extra word search book because sometimes, I finish the one I'm on about halfway through the trip", Sunny said.
"Wow", Blair said, "you must be really good at these."
"Thanks", Sunny said, "maybe I could buy some for you to try for the return trip."
"Really", Rox asked, "that would be great."
"Good", Sunny said, "what about you, what are you going to do to pass the time?"
"Oh, I don't know", Rox said, "I guess I'll just listen to some music on my earbuds."
"Okay, that sounds nice", Sunny said.
Blair put her JLab wireless earbuds into her ear, turned her phone on, and hit shuffle on her favorite playlist.
"This ought pass the time a little bit", Blair thought.
After hours of riding on the open road, the bus soon arrived in Sunny's hometown of Silvergate, Georgia, and the passengers all disembarked.
"Here we are", Sunny said.
"Now what", Blair asked.
"Let's look for my Mom", Sunny said, "she told me she'd be waiting here to pick us up."
"Okay", Blair said, "does she know I'm with you?"
"Yes", Sunny said, "I called her last night and told her about how I invited you to come along."
"Okay, good", Blair said, "I'd hate to be joining you and your family unannounced."
Sunny, Doodle, and Blair walked into the bus station, but the former stopped at a concession stand and bought a big bag of jelly beans.
"What are those for", Blair asked.
"You'll see", Sunny said.
At last, they walked outside the station, and found Sunny's mother, Paula, holding up a sign that said "Sunny Minerva Day."
"Hey, there's my mom", Sunny said.
Sunny ran over to Paula and have her a hug.
"Hi, Mom", Sunny said.
"Hello, Sunny", Paula said, "it's nice to see you after so long."
"You too", Sunny said.
Then, Paula noticed Blair.
"Hello, Blair", Paula said, "nice to see you again."
"You too, Mrs. Day", Blair said, "thanks for letting me join you for Thanksgiving."
"Oh, it's alright", Paula said, "any friend of Sunny's is a friend of ours."
"Gee, thanks", Blair said.
"Now come on", Paula said, "let's head home."
Paula drove Sunny, Doodle, and Blair to the Day residence in her car, where Sunny's dad, Bruce, was waiting.
"We're home", Paula said.
Bruce was very happy to see his daughter again.
"Sunny", Bruce said, "come on up and give your Dad a hug."
Sunny walked over to Bruce and did so.
"Oh, I missed you so much", Bruce said.
"I've missed you too, Dad", Sunny said.
Bruce then took notice of Blair.
"Blair", Bruce said, "glad to see you could make it."
"I'm glad I could make it too", Blair said, "it'll be nice to be spending Thanksgiving with people who aren't my dolls for a change."
"Oh, bless your heart", Paula said, "well don't worry, you're going to have the best Thanksgiving you've ever had."
"Thanks", Blair said.
"But tonight, we've got something rather interesting planned", Bruce said, "Sunny, did you pick up some jelly beans?"
"Sure did", Sunny said.
"Excellent", Bruce said, "I'll toast the bread."
"I'll start popping the popcorn", Paula said.
Sunny's parents went to work, leaving Blair somewhat confused.
"Toast, popcorn", Blair asked, "what's all that about?"
"Oh, you'll find out", Sunny said.
In no time, Sunny, her parents, and Blair were sitting at the dinner table eating two slices of buttered toast, popcorn, pretzel sticks, and jelly beans.
"Hey, isn't this the meal from A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving", Blair asked.
"Why yes, it is", Paula said, "we have it every year on Thanksgiving Eve."
"Thanksgiving Eve", Blair asked.
"Oh, it's just something we like to do", Bruce said, "on the night before Thanksgiving, we have this unconventional Thanksgiving dinner, and then the day after on Thanksgiving, we have the real thing."
"My grandparents, my Aunt Emily, and her family will be joining us tomorrow", Sunny said, "it's going to be so exciting."
"No wonder you were looking forward to this", Blair said, "I'll bet you have a lot of fun with your family."
Sunny still felt sorry for Blair.
"Well, you're going to have fun too", Sunny said, "I just know it."
"Thanks", Blair said.
Later that night, Sunny and Blair were getting ready for bed, with the latter sleeping in a sleeping bag next to the former's bed.
"You ready for tomorrow, Blair", Sunny asked.
"You mean spending Thanksgiving with other people", Blair asked, "I sure am."
"Glad to hear it", Sunny said.
The next morning, Sunny woke up, and then woke Blair up.
"Hey Blair, it's time to get up", Sunny said.
Blair yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"Oh, morning, Sunny", Blair said, "is it morning already?"
"It sure is", Sunny said, "come on, let's see what Mom's cooking for breakfast."
Sunny and Blair went downstairs and found Paula and Bruce in the kitchen.
"Morning, Mom", Sunny said.
"Morning, girls", Paula said.
Blair sniffed the air, and could smell something delicious.
"What is that sweet aroma", Blair asked.
"Cinnamon rolls", Paula said, "they're this kind that you let sit overnight before baking them."
"And I'm cooking up some deer sausage to go with them", Bruce said.
"That sounds delicious", Blair said.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it", Sunny said.
Sunny opened the door, and was very happy to see who it was.
"Oh wow", Sunny said.
Sunny hugged two individuals who were her grandparents: Walter and Celia.
"Hello, Sunny", Walter said, "good to see you again."
"You too", Sunny said.
Sunny and her grandparents walked into the kitchen, where her parents were waiting to greet them.
"Hello, Bruce", Celia said.
"Mom, Dad", Bruce said, "you made it."
"You bet we did", Walter said, "we brought some green bean bundles for Thanksgiving dinner later."
"Great", Bruce said, "set them over there, please."
"Will do", Walter said.
Walter set the tray of green bean bundles on the counter, and Celia noticed Blair.
"And who is this little pink rose right here", Celia asked.
"Cece, this is my friend Blair", Sunny said, "Blair, these are my grandparents, Cece and Wally."
"Nice to meet you", Blair said.
Blair shook both their hands.
"She's going to be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner", Sunny said, "I invited her."
"That's nice", Walter said, "it'll be nice to get to know one of your friends from Friendly Falls."
"We've heard all about your adventures", Celia said, "it sounds like you have lots of fun in that town."
"No argument there", Sunny said.
"Okay, everyone", Paula said, "time to eat."
Everyone sat down at the table and ate breakfast, and later on in the day, Bruce and Walter turned on the TV and changed the channel to a football game.
"Alright", Bruce said, "just in time for the 12:20 game."
Blair was rather surprised to hear that.
"12:30", Blair asked, "don't you think we ought eat lunch soon?"
"Oh no, we're not eating lunch", Sunny said, "we're having Thanksgiving dinner in the afternoon."
"Really", Blair asked, "how come?"
"Well, unfortunately, the family members can't stay, so we have to eat a little earlier so that they have time to drive home", Sunny said.
"Oh, that makes sense", Blair said.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
"Who's that", Blair asked.
"It must be Aunt Emily, Uncle Dominic, and my cousins Jacob and Alex", Sunny said.
Sunny answered the front door, and found that it was indeed the aforementioned family members.
"Hey there, Sunny", Emily said.
"Aunt Emily", Sunny said.
Sunny hugged Emily, and then hugged Dominic.
"Hey there, Bright Sun", Dominic said.
Next, she went over to Jacob and Alex (Alex is a girl, BTW).
"Hey there, cousin", Jacob said, "good to see you again."
"How have you been", Alex asked.
"Can't complain", Sunny said.
Sunny and the four family members walked into the living room, and Emily greeted Bruce.
"Hey there, bro", Emily said.
"Emily", Bruce said, "glad you could make it."
"It looks like we got here just in time", Dominic said, "the game's on."
"Oh, it's just starting to get good", Bruce said, "you should've seen what happened earlier on."
"Need any help with preparing dinner, Paula", Emily asked.
"Thank you, Emily", Paula said, "we'd really appreciate that."
"We'll be outside if you need us", Sunny said.
"Okay", Paula said, "have fun."
Jacob and Alex went out into the backyard, and Sunny walked over to Blair.
"Hey, Blair", Sunny said, "you coming, or what?"
"Sure, I'll come", Blair said.
Blair followed Sunny outside, as did Doodle, and they met up with Jacob and Alex.
"Jacob, Alex, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine", Sunny said, "this is Blair, one of my co-workers from Friendly Falls."
"It's a pleasure to meet you two", Blair said.
"You too", Jacob said.
"So, Sunny", Alex said, "what do you want to do while our parents prepare dinner?"
"How about some lawn bowling", Sunny asked, "I've got a set in the garage."
"Sounds like fun", Jacob said, "I'm in."
"Me too", Alex said.
"I'll keep score", Doodle said.
"What about you, Blair", Sunny asked, "wanna give it a go?"
"I don't know", Blair said, "I've never played lawn bowling before."
"Oh, it's not that hard", Sunny said, "it's a little like regular bowling."
Blair thought for a moment before responding.
"Well, alright", Blair said, "I guess I could give it a try."
"That's the spirit", Sunny said, "you can be on a team with me, and Jacob and Alex can be on a team together."
"Sounds like a plan", Blair said.
Soon, it was set up, and after a few rounds, Jacob and Alex were in the lead, and it was Blair's turn.
"It all comes down to this", Doodle said, "Blair just needs to knock down at least three pins, and she wins the game."
Blair walked up, ball in hand, and looked at the pins.
"I can do this", Blair said.
Blair took a deep breath, and rolled her ball along the lawn, and it knocked down all the pins, a move no one was expecting.
"I don't believe it", Doodle said, "it's a strike!"
Blair was very happy about it.
"I did it", Blair said, "I won the game for us!"
"Nice going, Blair", Sunny said.
Alex walked over to Blair and held out her hand.
"Good game, Blair", Alex said.
Blair and Alex proceeded to shake hands in a show of good sportsmanship, and Sunny noticed something.
"Wait, where's Jacob", Sunny asked.
Jacob was over by the windowsill, which had a pumpkin pie resting on it, and as he reached out to grabbed it, he felt something slap his hand.
"Ow", Jacob said.
The slap had come from Emily.
"No one eats a single bite of pie until after dinner", Emily said.
"Yes, Mom", Jacob said.
Jacob walked over to the others.
"Well, can't blame a guy for trying, right", Jacob asked.
"Yep, that's my brother", Alex said.
"Wow, Sunny", Blair said, "your family is amazing."
"Thanks", Sunny said, "I'm very thankful to have them."
"I'll bet you are", Blair said, "I just wish my family were more like yours."
Sunny could see that her friend was starting to get upset yet again.
"You know what", Sunny said, "as far as I'm concerned, you're family to me."
"Really", Blair asked.
"Of course", Sunny said, "I'm just as thankful to have you here with me as I am to be spending time with my family."
"Wow", Blair said, "that means a lot."
The two shared a hug, and Paula stuck her head outside.
"Kids, dinner's ready", Paula said.
The kids went inside and sat down at the table, where Sunny's parents, grandparents, and Jacob and Alex's parents were sitting down as well.
"Now, before we eat, I think we should say grace", Bruce said, "everybody join hands, please."
Everyone at the table joined hands, and Bruce began his prayer.
"Dear father, bless this food we are eating on this wonderful holiday", Bruce said, "thank you for our safety, and thank you for my daughter, mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew being able to come all this way to join us on this day of giving thanks."
"Amen", everyone at the table said.
In no time, everyone was eating their food, and they were all enjoying it, especially Blair.
"You were right, Sunny", Blair said, "this is the best Thanksgiving ever."
"I'm happy you were able to come and enjoy it", Sunny said.
Eventually, everyone had gotten enough to eat, and were sitting around to let their food digest before having dessert, when they heard a knock at the door.
"Who could that be", Blair asked.
"I don't know", Sunny said, "I thought everyone who was coming was here."
Sunny answered the door, and looked in surprise at who was there.
"Hello", a man's voice said, "is this the Day residence?"
"Why yes, it is", Sunny said, "could you excuse me for a second?"
Sunny walked into the living room and went over Blair, who was sitting on the couch.
"It's for you, Blair", Sunny said.
"Me", Blair asked.
Blair got up and walked over to the door, and was very surprised to find that it was her parents, Darian and Lyla.
"Hello, Blair", Darian said.
"Mom, Dad", Blair said.
Blair hugged her parents with tears of happiness flowing in her eyes, and they happily returned the hug.
"What are you guys doing here", Blair asked, "I thought you were too busy to spend Thanksgiving with me."
"We felt bad about that, so we decided to come and see you", Lyla said, "but we couldn't find you anywhere back home."
"But thankfully, your friend Sunny let us know where you were, so we thought we'd come down and join you", Darian said.
Sunny walked into view, and Blair turned to her.
"I thought they ought know", Sunny said.
"Thank you, Sunny", Blair said.
Bruce and Paula walked in, and they took notice of the two newcomers.
"Mr. and Mrs. Day", Blair said, "these are my parents."
"Hello", Bruce said, "we're Sunny's parents."
"Nice to meet you", Darian said.
The two pairs of parents soon got acquainted.
"So", Paula said, "now that you're here, would you like to join us for dessert?"
"You bet", Darian said, "I'm a sucker for a good slice of pumpkin pie."
Blair's parents joined Sunny's family for dessert, and later it was time for everyone to leave, and after Sunny's family members left, Darian and Lyla spoke to her daughter.
"Blair", Darian said, "we're so sorry about leaving you alone a lot."
"We try to make time for you, but we just can't seem to do it", Lyla said.
"So, for the rest of your Thanksgiving vacation, we're yours", Darian said, "whatever you want to do, we'll do it with you."
Blair could hardly believe her ears.
"Really", Blair asked, "oh, thanks, you guys."
Blair hugged her parents, and Sunny walked over.
"Sounds like you're going to be spending the rest of your break with your own family", Sunny said.
"That's right", Blair said, "but I still had fun spending Thanksgiving with you and your family."
"Me too", Sunny said.
"Well, see you in Friendly Falls in a few days", Blair said.
"You too", Sunny said.
Blair and her parents left, and Sunny sat down on the couch, with Doodle climbing up and sitting on her lap.
"Nice work, Sunny", Doodle said, "you gave Blair a good Thanksgiving, and in the end, her parents pulled through and showed up for her."
"Thanks, Doodle", Sunny said.
Bruce and Paula were also happy with what Sunny had done.
"That's our daughter", Bruce said.
"We sure raised her well", Paula said.