Chapter Two,

“Thank you for coming today.” said Miss Angie. “Luke is a wonderful boy. So filled with life and very helpful in class. He is right on track academically, but I was concerned about his ability to see between make believe and the real world. During our last Holiday Time he insisted that there were two Thanksgivings. His story about the other thanksgiving was very creative and entertained the whole class, but many of the children can be confused by this and rather than correct him in class I thought you could review it with him at home.”

There was silence for a few seconds while Luke’s Mommy and Daddy looked at one another and then laughter broke the tension. Luke’s Daddy smiled and said “Miss Angie, I think I can clear this all up. You see in our house we celebrate Thanksgiving twice a year. Once in November and one more time in March.”

“In March? May I ask why?”

“Certainly, when Luke was a baby he got very sick and was diagnosed with a form of cancer.”

“Ohh, I had no idea. Is he well now?”

“Yes, very well, thank you for asking. The Doctors and the Nurses worked very hard and his surgery was a complete success. So on March 20^th, every year, we give thanks for the miracle that was his surgery and the miracle that is Luke. We host a full blown turkey day party with all the trimmings.”

“And candles on the pies?”

“Oh, I see you got the whole run down from Luke. One candle for every year since the surgery. We tried cake the first year but it just didn’t fit with the theme. Maybe you could come this year? The 20^th is a Saturday and you can bring your whole family, trust me, we won’t run out of food.”

“Thank you for the invitation, I would be honored to attend. Mrs. Baranowski, I wonder if we couldn’t do something with Holiday Time that would honor this very special day. The kids would love it, but I could use a little help with the planning.”

“I would love to do something. Whatever you need, I would be thrilled to help.” said Luke’s Mommy.

“Nothing too complicated, let me think it through and we’ll talk as it gets closer.”

Both Miss Angie and Luke’s Mommy smiled big sun-shiny smiles and that meant very good things.

©Andrew Barter 2007

Comments

[James Krokee]

Great story. Very thoughtful...I dig it.

[Andrew Barter]

Thanks James! Let us know if you or anyone you know has a "Two Turkeys" Event!!

[j paul]

Right on, Andy. Good work.