Chapter 1: Age 14 - Thanksgiving

The first few adults had made it into the foyer but then the circle closed: they were set upon by their extended family, who would broach no delay in sharing words of welcome. Casseroles were shuffled from person to person to free arms for handshakes and hugs. Some attempts were made to remove the heavy winter coats the newcomers were wearing, but there wasn’t room. The foyer was entirely inadequate for this many people, and yet the rest of the house was empty. The only person who managed to recognize the problem was fourteen-year-old Alex, trapped just outside the open door in the biting cold.

Meg was watching from the high ground - halfway up the steps. When her eyes met Alex’s she waved him over.

Alex squirmed through the sea of bodies, shoving and weaving, to join his cousin.

“C’mon,” she said, and led him to her bedroom.

Alex dropped his coat on the floor. He still didn’t feel comfortable, stuck in a dress shirt, slacks, a tie, and never-worn dress shoes.

Meg pranced over to the bed and sat down, hugging a pillow. She was barefoot, wearing shorts and two layers of T-shirts.