It's a tradition

 

"So, um.." Darry knew he'd never make a great salesman, but his parents told him they needed an extra cook or two down at the homeless shelter for Thanksgiving Dinner. "See-" He blew a breath as he stammered about, waiting to pick Junie up from her shift and bothering CW while he was cleaning up behind the counter.

"He wants you to cook Thanksgiving Dinner," Junie cut to the chase. Darry looked at her wide-eyed, as if she didn't have to say it like that.

"Me, cook Thanksgiving Dinner?" CW looked at Darry with a chuckle.

"I mean, we have people there, lots, it's just a lot of them aren't real cooks," Darry shrugged about the matter. Darry promised his mom would have dinner waiting for them in the evening at his house. "It's just it's what we do on Thanksgiving."

"Oh, I see." CW shrugged. "I guess I could. I don't  have any plans."

"What plans?" Crystal jumped into the conversation as she'd missed something. So Darry told her about the homeless shelter, too.

"Well, that sounds splendid, count me in." She nodded.

Darry did his best to hold back a smile. Crystal asked for the directions and what time. She told him she'd bring CW with her and she looked at the guy bussing the tables. "I'll bring Nico too."

"Sounds like you have enough, Darry, maybe I'll sat this out this year," Junie smiled.

"I told mom and dad you were coming," he said, looking at her ever so seriously. Her smile slightly waned.

"OK, all right." Junie practically rolled her eyes, but then said, "You didn't ask Millie?"

"She's busy." Actually, he knew not to ask her as soon as he looked at her. He didn't think she belonged here like CW and Crystal.