Chloe's POV

When I woke up early this morning just as I had suspected my mother was nowhere in sight. So I guess Thanksgiving dinner is all on me. I've never cooked a meal this extravagant and I'm a little nervous. Before cooking I went to my room attempting to turn on my ancient Compaq desktop and it literally took twenty years for windows to load, and then to actually get on to dial up was like insane. It took about twenty minutes to hear the words "Welcome, you've got mail".

AOL is a great resource and I was able to find recipes for everything. Thankfully my printer still works and I was able to print everything just before my ink started to run low. Now here I am in the kitchen with papers spread all over the table in the order I need to make them. The turkey has been in since about eight this morning and I hope it'll be ready by two the latest. Liam is helping me with the mashed potatoes, he loves using the handheld mixer. Right now I'm working on cranberry sauce and stuffing. I'm saving the vegetables for last. This is a lot of work.

Travis walks in smelling the room obnoxiously loud. I don't turn to look, he peeks over my shoulder coming a little too close for comfort.

"Where's your wife?" I ask not in the mood. "She was the one who said she'd cook thanksgiving dinner and apparently she had no plans to actually do so."

"We all know your cooking is a lot better than hers," he says touching my shoulder.

I shrug him off, I hate how sometimes he can be a little handsy. He steps away just as I hear other footsteps. I turn while stirring the cranberry sauce in the pot, it's almost done. Daryl walks in and leans against the wall like he did the first night he came here. Now looking at him I can't help but find him attractive. Oh god you dumb idiot don't become one of those girls who can't live without a guy. My body reacts as he smiles in my direction. Liam looks up and runs over to him. He grabs his hand and starts pulling him over, mixer still in hand.

I turn back around and shut the stove and move the cranberry sauce to the side. I pull open the box of stuffing and pour it into the boiling water. I hear Daryl and Liam laughing, the mixer is making a weird sound. I turn to watch them and Daryl's trying to mix the potatoes and it looks like the mixer is about to fly away.

"Do you need a lesson in how to work a mixer?" I start to walk over.

"I got this," he says.

I laugh and roll my eyes, and when I look at him he's smirking. My body shivers, and before I look too smitten I grab some ingredients to add to the potatoes and hand them to Liam. Then I go over and shuffle the papers with the ingredients getting rid of the ones I've already done.

Daryl stays in the kitchen and helps Liam and I get dinner ready. In the living room Travis is setting up a folding table so that we can all sit since the kitchen is a disaster. I place all the finished items on the table as we clean up the dirty dishes. It's very strange to have our dysfunctional family working together to create what will probably be one big disaster.

By the time dinner is ready my mom stumbles into the living room as I start setting the table. "Smells good honey," she says groggily.

I shoot her a look before retreating back to the kitchen. I smack my hand against the wall pissed that she just waltzes in looking like she's slept all day, while I cook the meal she planned.

"Woah, what did that wall ever do to you?" Daryl startles me and I jump. I was so angry I'd forgotten he was in here too. He's got two potholders in his hand about ready to bring in the vegetables that just finished cooking.

"Funny Daryl. I can't stand her," I say now banging my head against the wall.

"Who?"

"My mother, it's like she doesn't get it. She had a life once you know. She worked as a teacher and loved her job. Even after my father left she held it together. Then she goes and marries Travis and all she can do all day is drink and do whatever, while I take care of her, her kid, and this entire family!"

I don't mean to vent to Daryl, but I can't help it. "I'm sorry you don't..." his finger rests against my lips and I stop talking. I stare right into his eyes and I get warm all over.

"It's fine. Let's just go out there eat all this amazing food you made, then later you can vent all you want," he whispers.

I don't know what to say so I just nod. Liam comes bursting into the room and we both back away from each other quickly. Liam grabs the two bottles of soda off the table and disappears. That was close, no one can know about us and thankfully it was only Liam.

Everyone has food on their plates and in their mouths. I look around the table at this weird dysfunctional... family? Doesn't really feel like family, the only one who does is Liam. He's all I have, but the fact that he looks happy makes me feel a little calmer.

Merle comes in about twenty minutes into dinner. He looks wasted as he fumbles into the seat next to Daryl. I look between the two of them, Daryl looks annoyed.

"Done?" Travis asks.

"He showed up late," Merle grumbles.

"Remind me to take care of it tomorrow," Travis says.

"Can we not discuss your dirty work at the table?" I question.

I know Liam can't hear what they are saying, but I see him attempting to read their lips and catch their words. Merle rolls his eyes and says something under his breath.

"This is some good shit. Never had a thanksgiving dinner," Merle says.

"Well there's a first for everything," mom says.

"Mom would have never cooked this shit, right Daryl?" Merle asks shoveling some potatoes into his mouth. A few pieces stick to the side of his face and just looking at him makes me sick. I can't believe I made food so that this asshole could eat. Daryl grunts.

"Spam and eggs were our thanksgiving, either that or getting whipped with those belts man those hurt," Merle laughs to himself as he chews on his food.

"I got the belt once or twice," Travis pipes in.

"Oh no man this was bad. He really went at me, I mean drunk and all." Merle puts down his fork and takes a sip of what I assume is a spiked drink. "I got a lot of shit while I was home, while little Daryl cowered in the closet," he laughs.

My fork slams down on my plate and I nearly lose it as I take a sip of soda. I look up through my glass to see Daryl he looks annoyed.

"Where is your old man now?" Travis asks.

"Who the hell knows? This guy over here though he got out of there and started following me around like a lost puppy," Merle tries to joke. The only one who laughs is Travis, but I can't tell if he's doing it just to entertain him.

Daryl's knuckles turn white as they grasp onto the table, I can see him trying to hold himself together. Liam looks up at me and tells me he's going to the bathroom. All I have to say is I'm actually glad he can't hear the conversation that's happening at the dinner table. Everyone is quiet again as they fill their mouths with food. My mom sits slumped over at the table swirling around her food like a toddler refusing to eat. I roll my eyes.

"You know there was this one time Daryl..."

Daryl stands abruptly knocking his chair out from under him. I look up and I can't tell what he's feeling. Part of me thinks he's about to cry. Maybe the memories that Merle is bringing up is hurting him. I can't imagine the pain he and Merle felt growing up. I don't feel bad for Merle he probably deserved everything he got. Daryl though, he doesn't look like he deserved it, unless I'm totally wrong about him.

"Thank you for dinner Chloe," he says as his voice breaks.

I watch as he pushes through the front door cursing under his breath. Liam comes back and looks around for Daryl. He turns to me and I tell him Daryl had something to do. I decide to excuse myself to clean up more in the kitchen. The window in here is open a crack and I can hear Daryl cursing. When I look out he's kicking his bike hard with his boot. I'm not sure what possesses me to do it, but I quietly sneak out the kitchen door to walk over to him. By the time I get to him he's got a cigarette hanging from his mouth, and even in the fading light I can see wetness on his cheeks.

"Don't!" he yells.

"I wasn't going to say anything, just came out to see..."

"What? See if I'm okay?" he yells his voice breaks again.

I step back, afraid that he may do something he might regret.

"I don't need someone to check on me. This is why I don't do relationships, woman are so needy and have an urge to comfort us even when we want to be left the fuck alone!" he yells.

He's angry I get it, I should probably just go back inside. I touch his shoulder and he shrugs me off. I can feel anger boiling inside of me, I only came out here to check on him and be a good friend, acquaintance or whatever. If he thinks he's going to come into my room again tonight he's got another think coming. "You know what Daryl? The next time you're looking for..." I'm about to tell him off when I hear the front door slam and Merle come rushing out.

Merle doesn't even look at me as he walks over he heads straight for Daryl. The minute he's in front of him he pushes him hard against the bike. The bike falls over with a thud, but Daryl doesn't look phased by it. I start to back away, because this could get ugly and I don't want to come between these two.

"What the fuck was that in there ya pussy!" Merle yells shoving him hard again.

"You don't gotta bring up mom or dad to these people. That shits not something you go talk'n about!" Daryl yells.

"So you run off crying like a little shit!" Merle yells.

Daryl has had enough and he rushes to his brother knocking him on the ground. They roll around fighting each other. Merle punches Daryl in the face, as Daryl fights back. I hear the kitchen door open and see Liam walking out. Shit.

"If you two immature assholes could take this shit off my property I'd appreciate it!" I yell.

"Shut up girl if you know what's good for you," Merle says standing up.

"I'm not shutting nothing, you come into my house and eat my food you better fucking show some respect you jack ass! I said both of you leave NOW!" I yell.

"I'm not dealing with this shit!" I hear him tell Daryl.

I sign to Liam to get back inside. He hesitates so I stomp my foot and sign like I'm angry. He shoots me the finger because you know nine year olds do that shit, and runs for the house. I turn back to the two of them and Merle's already getting on his bike. Daryl is picking up his bike as Merle zooms away.

"Daryl this shit has to stop!" I start to say as he hop's on his bike. He revs the engine.

"I'm serious!" I yell over the noise. He revs it again, so I turn around and head for the house as he takes off after Merle.

Fuck! I walk back inside and it's suddenly quiet again, Liam is probably sulking in his room and who knows what Mom and Travis are doing. I knew this would be a disaster. I head back into the living room where mom is already gone and Travis is watching the game on TV. He doesn't say anything to me. I start grabbing the dishes from the table and bring them into the kitchen.

I'm exhausted by the time I'm done with dishes it's almost seven thirty. "Yo Chloe, where's the pie!" he yells.

"Hold your horses!" I yell.

I probably shouldn't talk back to him, but I don't give a shit right now. I wipe my hands dry and grab the pies out of the fridge. I unwrap them and bring them back out to the table. Liam has joined him and they are both really into the game. Liam spots me, he's still angry I can tell. I cut them each a slice and hand it to them. They both don't say thank you. Whatever. I cut myself a piece and go back to my room. Thanksgiving is bullshit, never again will I agree to cook a meal like this for a bunch of unappreciative pricks.