by R. Elizabeth Love

Created on: November 12, 2009

Eliza drove down the two lane country road by passing the fields of corn, cows, and horses. "Home sweet home." Eliza said to herself as she drove up the hill towards the driveway of the family house.

Eliza glanced at her younger cousins playing in the leaves as she leaned across the seat grabbing her green bean casserole and reached for the door.

The noise of giddy children followed her into the house where she was greeted by the smell of turkey, dressing, and the endless chatter among family and friends.

"Guess who!" Eliza shouted over the noise. There was a brief moment of silence before Eliza's sister Gabriella rounded the corner screaming "She's here! And she brought the green bean casserole."

"Looks like somebody is ready to eat." Eliza laughed embracing her sister in a hug.

Eliza and her family gathered at the table and blessed the food, and in keeping with the family tradition they all took turns going clockwise around the table saying what they were thankful for that year. Grandpa Jackson who sat at the head of the table started the rotation.

The family had gone half way around the table before Eliza paid attention to the handsome yet familiar stranger. He stood at about 6 feet, smooth light brown skin, green flecked hazel eyes and perfect dimples.

Eliza melted in her chair as he spoke with an oddly familiar voice. "I'm thankful to be back and sharing this dinner with my second family and friends. I've really missed you guys."

Eliza's mom laughed "We've missed you too and I'm sure everyone here is very thankful to have you back Alex."

"Yeah yeah we all missed you something awful. Now can we eat please?" Gabriella asked.

Multiple conversations formed around the table as the family ate and talked and passed plates and side dishes. Eliza ate in silent shock questioning herself. "When did he come back and where was I?" She wondered stealing glances at him. His father had moved him out of the country junior year. She hadn't seen him in 3 years!

It had broken her heart to see her best friend go. They'd kept in touch the best they could but it was quite difficult with the time difference, school, and work. Eliza thought that she would never see him again and here he was back as if nothing had ever happened.

Eliza sat and picked at her food in silence. She glanced at him to find him staring at her with those weird hazel eyes she had loved for so long. With a pounding heart she could barely speak as she excused herself from the table saying she was exhausted

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