Date: November 26

     Hazel couldn't believe it. Her family's Thanksgiving plans had been canceled. The police chief, Silenus, had died the day before and his family wanted to hold the wake today. Hazel had been looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner for months. Her parents were so busy and family dinners were a rare treat. Besides, Persephone always baked the best pomegranate tarts and Hades always cooked the best roast beef. 

    Now it seemed like Hazel would eat a Happy Meal with her brother for Thanksgiving. Speaking of Nico, it was 2:00 P.M. and Hazel was sure that he was still asleep because the lights in his room were off. Hazel sighed; this was going to be the worst Thanksgiving ever. Even though Hazel's mother was often angry at her, she always made Thanksgiving dinner. Hazel fondly remembered preparing shrimp gumbo and grilled cheese sandwiches with her mother.

    Hazel heard a knock at the door. She wondered if the wake was over and her parents were home early. Maybe they would eat out together. 

    "Come in," she said.

    Nico opened the door. His hair was mussed up and he looked paler than usual. Hazel also noted that he was smiling thinly.

    "Do you want to have Thanksgiving dinner?" Nico asked.

  "You want to make it together?" Hazel asked.

   "No," Nico said. "Will invited us over."

   Hazel felt a twinge of disappointment, but she nodded. Well, I sure hope this goes well.

****

    "Seat yourself," Will's mother told them.

    Naomi Solace was a woman with a smile as bright as the sun and a voice as warm as sunshine. She was a country singer and Nico had been teasing Will relentlessly since they arrived that he was tone deaf. Will's father, Apollo Solace, was a doctor. The dining room was almost as cheery as the house's inhabitants with wide windows tinted by the setting sun and a tablecloth decorated with cheery sunflowers.

      Hazel sat down beside Nico and breathed in the smell of warm food. Will's parents brought out the food and told the kids to help themselves to dinner. Hazel dished herself some fried sweet potatoes, turkey, green beans, and a buttered roll. Beside her, Nico was staring longingly at the cornbread, Apollo noticed Nico's eyes lingering on it and passed it to Nico.

    "Almost as alluring as my son, eh?" he asked.

     Nico turned redder than the cranberry juice he was drinking. He sputtered and then apologized for spraying cranberry juice onto their tablecloth. Will wiped the cranberry juice off of Nico's face with a napkin, which caused Nico to blush more profusely. 

    "My brother likes your son a lot," Hazel said, shooting a look at her brother.

   He kicked her beneath the table and she winced.

   "Indeed, my son talks about Nico almost as much as he talks about HOSA," Will's father said.

   "Dad," Will said, his cheeks reddening.

    "Sorry, I meant he talks about Nico even more," Will's father said. "Either he wants to dissect Nico or he's in love."

     "Dad!" Will said.

     "Don't worry," Hazel said. "Nico talks about you almost as much as he talks about McDonalds."

      Everyone but Nico and Will laughed. Hazel enjoyed the fine food and conversation. She had never had so much fun being the third wheel.