2019-11-29 - Thanksgiving in Contrast

THORNE FAMILY HOME
November 22, 2001

The abrupt sound of boisterous cheering and the not-so subtle grumbling of disappointment can be heard coming from the living room where several of Gray Harbor's Finest are glued to the television set with a beer in hand to watch the Broncos vs. Cowboys game. The house smelled wonderful with the turkey almost ready to be popped out of the oven just around when half-time was supposed to hit. Stephen had planned for that.

Several of his colleagues and their families were over the for the holidays. Of course, the Jones family were in attendance with Nathaniel's tall frame leaning against doorway leading out to the hall to help with the turkey come time. His wife, Abigail, trails behind Mary Thorne as they both squeeze passed Abigail's husband with light banter, bringing the game watching crew more sides to munch on. There was some of the usual fare, like chips and pretzels, but as this was Thanksgiving there were also special things to partake in like little pumpkin tarts, a variety of cookies and brownies.

The Morgans also came to share in the festivities with the Thornes. Rhonda Morgan was in casual conversation with both Stephen and rookie cop, Vince Bishop, all discussing that last play of the game so far, while her husband was helping to set out the varying casseroles, macaroni and cheese dishes among the stuffing and vegetables on display on the dining room table in the kitchen for everyone to partake in. George Chetson was also here, awkwardly sitting on the couch and trying his hardest to say something witty to make everyone laugh or believe he knows the ins-and-outs of football, all while the front of his shirt and the lap of his pants are covered in flaky pastry from the pumpkin tart that he's carelessly nibbling on.

Byron and the Jones twins (Magnolia and Oliver) were ten this year and much of the earlier discussion before the game even started was how well the GHPD were doing against the GHFD in family softball. Stephen had a lot of praise to give his son for his contributions to the team in his age range. All three of them are joined by Charlie Morgan, who was just a few years older than the other kids, and Lilith Winslow. Byron was pretty sure Hank Winslow wasn't going to notice that she was missing and there was a ton of food to be had, so why not share?

There was freedom to be found in the holidays, Byron always thought. Once the tension of the stresses of the season and family life finally wane and everyone can relax and just live life.

Byron was thankful for the Joneses and Morgans for helping to bring joy within his family. He was thankful for the rest of his father's colleagues for showing up and sharing this special day with them. He was thankful that he was able to make sure that Lilith had a real Thanksgiving Dinner this year.

In truth, what Byron was thankful for most of all was that for the day, he didn't have to live in fear.

November 25, 2004

The house was almost silent if not for the game being played on the television to an empty living room. There was no laughter and high-spirited chatter. No jokes being told alongside the GHPD's bragging rights for this or that family and friends event.

Mary Thorne was busy in the kitchen. It would still be another hour before the turkey was ready, but the room smelled delicious. She moved from stove top to stove top, stirring the pot of stuffing or making sure that the gravy didn't burn. It was all she could do to keep her mind busy and away from-- Her husband had died that May. He put the barrel of his gun into his mouth and pulled the trigger. Life was barely worth living after that. The house was empty since then. Dead. And full of Darkness. She was alone.

Byron was at the kitchen counter helping to prepare a tart cobbler for dessert to go with the pecan pie that he helped make. While the two worked side by side, they hardly said a word to each other. That was usually on Mary's part, even when Byron had a question to ask her about, she would very often ignore it and if she did respond, she didn't dare look at the boy.

After Stephen Thorne died, Byron finally felt the freedom that he longed for all those years. But at what expense?

The Thorne family weren't the only cop family to be hit hard this year, both Nathaniel Jones and Rhonda Morgan went missing just before Halloween. Their bodies were never found, but there was just so much blood. Mrs. Jones went catatonic at this news, leaving her precious children near orphaned with the need to fend for themselves. This is why Byron invited the twins over to spend Thanksgiving with them. Detective Jones always tried to protect him from his father's wrath when he could and Magnolia and Oliver were like family to him now.

Her Stephen was dead and yet Byron was still... Mary wanted to wretch, turning the knobs on the stone down to a quiet simmer, she walked with hurried steps out into the hall and then up those stairs until she reached her room, shutting the door behind her. Once inside the privacy of her own space, her body trembled as she stumbled towards the vanity, a hand covering over her mouth before falling into the seat there.

From downstairs, Byron listens to his mother's footsteps, before daring to reach out and tap into her mind, gauging her emotional state and feeling the dark turmoil within-- the grief, the sadness, all of which he would have expected, then there is that deep seated anger towards... The doorbell rings, breaking him out of his trance to greet his friends. Lilith would be there again and so would the Gilfords this year. Charlie Morgan had her own life to live, preparing for college, or else she would be here too.

Upstairs, Mary is choking on her tearful sobs. She was always a strong woman, especially when confronted by her son. But Steve was dead and... she wasn't sure that she could go on. But Byron. Byron was still alive. She needed to live for him... Only then will she be able to-- She quickly snatches up a Kleenex to wipe away spilled tears once the doorbell rings. Breathing in deep through a stuffed nose, she stares at her image in the mirror, she was young, beautiful with her auburn locks and red painted lips. She just needed to get through this day. Her reflection smiles back at her.