3

There was paperwork, of course.

There was always paperwork.

But they handled it, and the evening was really just beginning when they finished and returned to the house at last.

They released the officers who had been watching over Sarah and little Jimmy; and as they did so, Jimmy was begging his mother to let him keep the turkey.

“I have no heart to kill and cook anything,”

Sarah told them.

“Then, I think it’s settled,”

Angela said, looking at Jackson. “Come to our house; I, um, have a massive tray of shrimp and cod fillets. We’ll have that for dinner!”

“Oh, we couldn’t do that to you! Not after all you’ve done for us today!”

Sarah Rodgers protested.

Jackson had lowered his head. He was laughing, Angela knew. She had a defrosted turkey they should have had for dinner.

Tomorrow night or maybe Saturday night.

It just didn’t seem right to have a pet turkey in the basement and dine on a bird.

“We’d love to have you!”

Angela assured them.

By then, of course, they’d called Corby. He knew that everything was all right.

And when they all came in, he hugged Jimmy, and Jimmy hugged him, and with little Victoria, they rushed down to the basement to make sure the turkey was doing fine.

The seafood made for a fine meal.

There was time for speeches, but they were simple and sweet.

“I’m so thankful to you people, and to God, of course, that my precious son is alive, that my wife is alive! Thank you, thank you!”

Mr. Rodgers said.

“Oh, me, too! I’m thankful for every day that I live with a loving man and a great son and . . . well, now I know! I’m thankful that I have amazing neighbors!”

Sarah said.

Jackson smiled. “I’m thankful for my home. I’m thankful for children who know that every human being is unique and special. I’m thankful for having an amazing wife. Even if she doesn’t have amazing emeralds!”

“I can fix that,”

Arnie Rodgers, Jr. said quickly.

Angela laughed, lifting her glass. “I’m thankful for my incredible family, for this strange man who is the best in the world and still capable of playing absolutely obnoxious so well! I’m beyond thankful for my beautiful children.”

And looking across the table she added, “So very thankful to have such amazing friends!”

She was looking, of course, at Arnie Rodgers, Sr.

The ghost stood at the foot of the table, looking at them all with such sheer happiness that it all seemed to bring an incredible warmth into her heart and soul.

Of course, Jimmy made the last toast, lifting his glass of milk high.

“I’m so thankful that no one killed and ate my turkey!”

As if he could hear the words, from the basement, the turkey let out a loud squawk.

And they all laughed.

Because . . .

Yah! Okay, it didn’t turn out to be a quiet holiday.

Rather . . .

It had been one hell of a turkey day!

But in the very best way!