Andrew woke up and went to the living room where Aelita was slightly transfixed to the TV. "Hi honey" Aelita said, "Morning, what's this?" Andrew asked her; "Night Springs, it's a very interesting show" Aelita said, the two saw on the TV, one name stood out that Andrew felt was familiar, Alan Wake, "Isn't that the one writer for the Alex Casey novels?" Andrew asked, Aelita was puzzled. "Pretend I didn't ask" Andrew said, there was a commotion outside.
It sounded like an argument. "What's going on?" Andrew asked, concern etched on his face. Tim's voice cut through the tension, filled with anger. "The only reason why they like Aelita is because it shows me how much of a piece of shit that I am." Tim said. "No, that's not the case," Kayla interjected, attempting to defuse the escalating situation. "Well, I'll call the damn cops if she gets near me," Tim declared, his eyes fixed on Kayla. "Tim, you're not being rational—" Andrew began, but his words were interrupted by the sudden swing of a fist aimed at him. With quick reflexes, Andrew ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow, and retaliated with a swing of his own that connected with Tim's jaw.
The room fell into stunned silence as the consequences of the altercation hung heavy in the air. The echo of the punch resonated, a stark reminder of the fraying relationships and unresolved tensions. Andrew's eyes met Aelita's, who watched wide-eyed from the periphery, the shock reflected in her expression mirroring the turmoil that had unfolded before her. Andrew's fists continued to land a few more blows before Aelita, sensing the escalating violence, bravely stepped between the two. In a moment of blind fury, Andrew swung an elbow instinctively, unintentionally striking Aelita. As the realization of his actions sank in, horror washed over his face, his anger replaced by a profound sense of regret.
Aelita, though momentarily stunned, understood the inadvertent mistake. Pain etched across her face, but she held no resentment. The room, however, became a tableau of broken relationships and wounded emotions. Andrew, grappling with the weight of his actions, turned and fled from the house, the door slamming shut behind him.Outside, the morning air felt heavy with the consequences of the impulsive outburst. Andrew, torn between remorse and frustration, wandered the sunlit streets. The echoes of the argument lingered in his mind, and the image of Aelita inadvertently hurt fueled his self-reproach. The distance between him and the house widened, mirroring the emotional chasm that had opened within the once-tight-knit family.
"Are you okay?" Kayla asked Aelita, genuine concern in her eyes. Aelita, nursing the unintended blow, managed a reassuring smile. "I'm fine; he's never been like that," she said, a mix of understanding and empathy in her voice. "He was never like that before" Aelita said "Trust me; it's because of something back then," Kayla informed her, aelita's gaze lingering on the closed door that marked Andrew's hasty exit. Kayla nodded, absorbing the weight of unspoken histories and unresolved issues that seemed to have resurfaced in that heated moment. The scars of the past, once concealed, now lay exposed, casting a shadow over the fragile bonds that held their family together.
"I'll go find Andrew; you tell your parents about what happened. Where would Andrew go in this situation, Kay?" Aelita asked, her concern for Andrew evident in her eyes. Kayla, taking a moment to think, replied, "He'd usually go by the creek for some quiet time to reflect." With a determined nod, Aelita set out in search of Andrew, the night concealing her worry and guiding her steps toward the familiar place by the creek. As she navigated the sunlit paths, the rustle of leaves and distant sounds of the morning became a somber backdrop to the unfolding drama that had fractured their family in this moment.
Aelita heard the rushing of water and followed the sound until she reached the creek. Sliding down the slightly damp dirt, she gazed at the flowing water below. Turning around, she spotted Andrew leaning against a post near a viaduct, his silhouette dimly illuminated by the soft glow of sunlight reflecting on the water. Approaching cautiously, Aelita hesitated before speaking, "Andrew, we need to talk. What happened back there—it's not who you are." The tension in the air matched the turmoil in the water beneath, both carrying the weight of unspoken emotions. "I know, Tim has a temper," Andrew admitted, his gaze fixed on the rippling water. Aelita, concerned, asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"He seemed fine, but then the stunt he pulled reminded me of all the things my sisters said," Andrew explained, the weight of unresolved family issues adding another layer to the complex emotions of the day. The morning daylight scene by the creek became a backdrop for the unearthing of not only personal struggles but the shared history that had shaped their relationship. "Just because he's got a temper doesn't mean he's not your brother," Aelita reassured him. Andrew, visibly conflicted, nodded in acknowledgment."You're right; I know it's not my fault, but it feels like it is," Andrew admitted, his voice breaking under the weight of emotions. The creek, bearing witness to their shared vulnerability, mirrored the turbulent currents of their feelings, a reflection of the intricate ties that bound them together despite the challenges they faced.
"Let's go back to the house and have Thanksgiving with your family, and resolve this, okay?" Aelita suggested. The two walked back together, the sunlight guiding their path. Andrew looked at her, a mixture of gratitude and affection in his eyes. "Thank you. I love you, babe," Andrew expressed, his words carrying a sense of relief as they moved forward, ready to face the challenges that Thanksgiving had unexpectedly brought to light.
"We're back," Aelita announced, breaking the tense silence. Kayla informed them, "Tim is on the couch." Andrew and Aelita entered the living room, a collective breath held among them. Aelita encouraged Andrew to speak, and he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Tim. I should have been a better man and not gone that far," Andrew apologized sincerely. Tim, nursing some small cuts on his face, replied with unexpected understanding, "It's fine. I didn't mean to upset you little bro."
The weight in the room seemed to lift as the acknowledgment of mistakes and the acceptance of apologies paved the way for healing. Thanksgiving, though marked by turmoil, now held the promise of reconciliation.