HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Amanda didn't know if she were up for this on Thanksgiving. Especially, when tomorrow she'd be in major all day activities for the State youth choir. What had she got herself into?

At least, there was Asa to depend on. She had Rosie and Jai to take on for the day. Thankfully, she didn't have baby Pearl to worry about. As it was Matt was still sleeping on their couch, occasionally, And he was back today. If that wasn't enough, even more unexpected guest. Jai's dad was spending the day.

Here it was five in the morning and she was trying to get the turkey in the oven. Derrick was no help. She would have thought he got the lead role in the musical at school, but he was only one of the supporting cast. Still, he was never home these days and when he was, she hated to talk to him. He could be in a rage over the smallest things. No, he'd be no help today.

But there was Max, and he was already up. He'd promised to help with the potato rolls. He looked so tired. She wanted to tell him to go back to bed.

"Dinner is still straight up noon, right?" Max wanted to know.

"Yeap." Amanda was getting her cranberry salad ready. Oh, how she'd wished she'd bought it at the deli. She went to pour herself more coffee.

"Good." Max got the potatoes to boiling. "Can I leave as soon as I eat?" He hugged himself, looking at her as if he had a secret.

"For what?" She needed to round up clean up duty. Heaven knows she'd need a nap by 12:30.

"Um, sort of have something to go to." He shrugged.

"Oh really? Josie have anything to do with this?" Amanda wanted to know, but Max shook his head.

"I-met- Look there is this girl who's been helping me with math...and ..and she wants me to come over. Have Thanksgiving with her family." Max smiled all over.

"Sure." Amanda smiled back. "You go as soon as we're done. Do we need to drive you?"

"No, she can pick me up." Max smiled as if it was a relief now.

"Good, we can all meet her then." Amanda smirked. Max didn't seem fond of the idea.

"When were you going to tell me, you were letting this guy stay here?" Roger wasn't fond of just letting anyone stay at his house. It was his house, still, even if Leon was acting like it was his, now.

"Come on, its ONLY for a few days." Leon shook his head. "Jared just wants to see his son. That's all there is to it. I'm sure he'll be going, probably Sunday."

"All right." Roger was a bit sullen. He was hoping for a nice quite Thanksgiving. Which meant, no sweets, nothing to put Ryan in a tizzy. She was not fond of the holidays now. Perhaps, she looked as if she hadn't a worry in the world being her thin self, but it was her blood sugar she worried over. At least Leon and Tyra were taking Jared to Amanda's for the day. "Just get out of here." Ryan was still asleep. Roger was still trying to think of a no-fat, no-sugar Thanksgiving for Ryan.

He prepared toast with Ryan's special diabetic bread. Even found the olive oil based spread in the fridge. Next was the no-sugar marmalade. Roger brought this breakfast to bed. It felt good to take care of her, and when he saw her smile, he was glad she was letting him.

There was a turkey somewhere on the long table. Actually, it was two tables that Ian and Eric put together. There was the kiddie table too. Eric's house was full with relatives and friends. It was more of a potluck than anything. Of course, Charlie would only eat spaghetti, mac'n cheese and mashed potatoes.

"I've never seen anything like it?" Liz watched the kids eat at the kiddie table. "And what's with the pomegranates?" Charlie had two he was holding on too.

"He thinks they're balls." Ellie told her. Liz stepped back before Charlie chunked one at her. She knew he was a lot to handle. At least her little one was congenial enough. His Dad Kip held him.

"Still no apartment yet?" Syd nudged Liz.

"Nope, not yet." She told them in the kitchen that he was trying to catch up on child support. "I'd easily forget it, you know."

"Oh, you know you'll miss him, once he's got his own place." Syd held in a laugh as she went to get more ants on a log for the kids.

"I don't think so." Liz said under her breath.

"Where's this Jules? Wasn't he coming today?" Ellie looked around the livingroom of people.

"He had a prior engagement." Oliver handed over a glass of white sparkly wine to her.

"Prior engagement?" Ellie hadn't met him yet, but she'd gotten an earful from Eric about him.

"He's got a boyfriend now." Ian smirked.

"How nice. Sounds like he's gonna be in the states for awhile." She guessed.

"I'm not sure how long it'll last." Ian told her. "Even if its really true. But he felt obligated, you know." As it was Ian was alone, but he got a text about then. He smiled when he looked at it.

Food wasn't on everyone's mind.