Keeley muttered under her breath, checking everything was accounted for. The pies were baked or bought; the rolls were in the oven; the neighbors were bringing candied yams and other vegetables; and the mashed potatoes were boiling on the stove.

"Dad! How's the turkey coming?"

"I checked a few minutes ago; it still needs forty-five minutes," he called from the living room.

She sighed. The guests would arrive soon. Valentina had arrived early that morning to help with the food, but they were expecting four more, including Ryan. The table only seated six, so they were borrowing a folding chair from a neighbor.

"Relax, Keeley," Valentina soothed. "Everything will be fine. Why are you so nervous?"

"You've been here before, but Ryan hasn't. I'm afraid it might be awkward."

Her friend scoffed. "How could it be awkward? He's one of us! You're overthinking it. If you're going to worry about something, worry about Jennica."

"Oh yeah, she's bringing Cameron home to meet her family, right? Isn't that a little soon?" Keeley asked, absentmindedly draining the potatoes.

Valentina giggled. "Yes. Apparently, he volunteered to be her 'fake boyfriend' to appease her mother, but I've seen enough movies to know how this ends. They'll be together by the weekend."

Ah, that girl. This was the first time any of the three roommates had been seriously involved since moving in together. It was a bit strange.

Keeley was happy for her friend but also worried about what might go wrong. Love was so fickle. What seemed good and real now could easily fall apart.

The doorbell rang, and Valentina ushered in their first guest. "¡Hola! ¡Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias!"

"I assume that was a Happy Thanksgiving," Ryan said with a smile.

"It was. Come in, you're first."

He stepped inside, spotting Keeley mashing potatoes in a flowery pink apron and her father on the couch.

Robert stood and shook Ryan's hand. "Nice to meet you. You must be Keeley's friend. I've heard a lot about you. I'm Robert Hall."

"Nice to meet you too, sir," Ryan said respectfully. "Need any help, Keeley?"

"Nope, I've got it! Thanks though," she called back.

Ryan placed his cherry pie on the counter with the others before sitting next to Robert to watch football. They chatted about the Giants' season as the other guests arrived.

Eventually, everyone was there, the food was on the table, and they sat down to eat.

"Before we dig in," Robert said, "my wife had a tradition where everyone says what they're thankful for. We continue it in her memory. I'll start. This year, I'm thankful for my beautiful daughter."

Keeley smiled. "Dad, you say that every year."

"And every year I mean it."

She blew him a kiss, making everyone laugh.

Their widowed neighbor was thankful for her flowers. Robert's coworkers were thankful for football and their jobs. Valentina was thankful she'd be flying home to visit family in a month.

Ryan glanced at Keeley. "I'm thankful for good friends."

What was she most thankful for? To be alive. To have recovered from the lab accident and be progressing well with her research. To not be married to Aaron Hale. That was a given, but she was also slightly grateful for his recent friendship.

"I'm thankful to be closer to achieving my dream."

Everyone clinked their wine glasses before taking a sip. Then the feast began.

Almost no one spoke; everyone was focused on the food. Conversation resumed only after they piled onto the couches and floor to watch football.

"It's a shame there's still pie," Keeley groaned from her spot on the floor between Ryan and Valentina. "I think I'm dying."

"Me too."

Valentina, accustomed to large Peruvian meals, called them weak before laughing. Six years in the US hadn't changed her appetite.

Robert went for another roll and, upon returning, noticed their position. "Let me take a picture of you guys."

Keeley handed him her phone. "Use mine; it's easier for Instagram."

He shook his head, accepting it. He didn't understand Instagram's appeal, but he deferred to the younger generation on technology.

"Everybody say cheese!"

Keeley put her arms around her friends, pulling them close. They grinned for the camera.

She examined the photo. Not bad. "Thanks, Dad!"

She posted it on Instagram with the caption "Food, football, and friends ❤️" and the hashtags #happythanksgiving #thanksgiving2012. She tagged @valenovela and @rythescienceguy.

A follower named hail.storm, who liked almost everything she posted, was the first to like it and comment with a Happy Thanksgiving wish. She replied "You too" before closing the app.

She didn't know hail.storm, but they were one of her first followers over a year ago. Their profile picture was a generic thundercloud, and they'd never posted any photos.

Her phone buzzed, and Valentina peered at it. "Crazy Person is asking if you're having a nice Thanksgiving."

"Crazy Person?" Ryan asked, confused.

"Keeley's ex. He texts her constantly," Valentina explained, despite Keeley's glare.

Ryan frowned. "Still?"

Robert noticed the direction of the conversation and smiled. "Oh, is that Aa—"

"DAD!"

She didn't want her friends to know his name. He gave her a knowing look. "Tell him I said hi."

"Your dad likes him?" Valentina whispered.

"it's a long story. How about we forget this and serve the pie?"

Pie was more diverting than her ex. Everyone went back to the kitchen, and Aaron was forgotten.

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