Jamie was munching on a drumstick or part of one at least, when he felt a shiver of cold. He immediately looked out the window. Snow, the kind that was wet and almost depressing to look at was falling outside. The boy excused himself and went to the back door. At first he saw nothing, and then when he looked to his left he saw the shape of a person sitting with their legs tucked up close to their chest.
The blue hood was up, that in its self wasn't really a sign of anything. However the slight shake of the shoulders and the barely audible sobs added to paint a scene of someone distraught and desperate to hide it. Now Jamie knew it was Jack, though his many times great uncle tried to never let any sign of sadness show when he was around the boy, Jamie had seen the slumped shoulder, the bowed head, the hoodie covering Jack's white hair, and the tall tail sign of that specific kind of snow before. Jack never talked about why he may be sad and Jamie had always figured the winter spirit would tell him when he was ready but the combination of signs he saw now screamed for someone to lend a helping hand or at least an ear.
"Jack?" he called quietly and calmly, trying not to scare his friend.
Jack's head came up fast. He spied Jamie and plastered a smile on his face. "Hay Jamie!" The Guardian of fun stood up, his back giving a sharp pain in protest. "Happy Thanksgiving!"
"Happy Thanksgiving! What are you doing out here?"
"Just waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"A lull in the meal, didn't want to interrupt." A quick flash of sadness crossed over him but he pushed it away. Can't let the Guardian of Fun be sad! He thought. The contradiction was at worst a sure way to tear down his center, or at least a sure way to cause worry to spread. Staying happy around others was something he had perfected long ago, it was harder when he was tired, upset, and or had things on his mind but had never been a problem in the past. However he had never had someone who knew him really well in the past either.
Jamie wasn't sure what Jack meant by a lull but he had seen the sadness. "Ok, is everything alright?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't it be?"
"You were curled up like something was wrong. And," The boy motioned to the sad like snow that was falling.
"Oh, I'm just sorry I was so late." Jack tried to brush it off.
"You're ok right? What kept you?"
The young Bennet had said it in a way that sounded like he was worried but Jack, in his current state, heard it like he had imagined the boy would sound all day. Angry!
Tears filled his eyes and he couldn't stop them from falling! In a quiet, reserved voice, one that he had only ever used to talk to wind, the Man in the Moon, and once North (when they had all thought Sandy had died) before he said: "I'm soooooo sorry! A last minute blizzard came up and that combined with sowing fun in the family who was snowbound because of it wiped me out. Wind took me to a forest where I fell asleep and I didn't wake up till it was almost dinner time here. I came as fast as wind and I could make it happen but that took energy too and, and…I know there is no good reason for me being so late, I'm probably just making things worse by spouting excuses."
"That's enough of that!" Both boys looked at the door. Standing in the door frame was Mr. Bennet. He looked stern but understanding in the way only dads can. "We all know you have important work, two very important Jobs in fact, and we would never hold it against you! If you recall I was late last year because of my work! Were we worried, Yes! That's what happens when you have a family, they worry about you. I bet you worried about your sister and parents 300 years ago, all even wager you worried about your extended village family as well. Am I right?"
Jack, eyes wide, nodded. He raised his hand and pulled down his hood.
"And when the worry went away did you care for any of them any less?"
Jack shook his head.
Mr. Bennet smiled and put an arm around first Jack's shoulders then Jamie's. "Then enough of the talk about being no good or what not. Let's get inside and have some dinner, then share our stories. I can guarantee everyone is looking forward to seeing and hearing from you Jack. If your still upset by your being late then we can figure out what we can do to stop it from happening again or find some way for you to let us know you'll be behind schedule in the future. But tonight is about being thankful and being together, and that is something we all can share!" Without further talk the adult Bennet stirred them into the kitchen.
Bunny grumbled and huffed to himself as he raced through his tunnels. He had let North talk him into fetching that pain in the tail, Jack Frost, again! He was not a messenger boy or a baby sitter. He was a strong mighty Pooken warrior. Someone who had fought hundreds if not thousands of battles, someone who had helped this and many other worlds grow with the power of the first light, someone who had dignity, and someone who made sure to be on time when something important like a Guardian signal went off.
"You had better be in trouble mate! Cause if you aren't you, will be when I get to you!"