Thanksgiving came and went. Matt went home to his mother, Dan went to see her stage sisters, and Allison went with Renee. The upperclassmen asked Neil only once if he was going home for the holidays. They didn't ask why he was staying, and Neil didn't waste time coming up with a lie. He spent the five-day weekend at Fox Tower with Nicky, Kevin, and Aaron. They spent half the time on the court and the other half lazing about the dorm room.

Thanksgiving was spent at Abby's house. Wymack showed up, of course, and they spent the morning drinking coffee and watching the parade on TV. As soon as it was over it was time to get to work. Abby divvied chores up between all of her guests and put Wymack to work in the kitchen with her.

Dinner was ready mid-afternoon. When Nicky asked Neil what his favorite dish was, Neil could have lied and referenced any of the stereotypical foods he knew were associated with Thanksgiving. Instead he practiced a little bit of honesty and admitted he'd never celebrated Thanksgiving before. Holidays weren't a priority in his family. Nicky, of course, reacted like it was the most tragic thing he'd ever heard.

Neil didn't understand the appeal. When Nicky saw his unimpressed face, he said, "It's not really about the food. It's about family. Not necessarily the one we were born with, but the one we chose. This one," Nicky emphasized, gesturing between them. "The people we trust to be part of our lives. The people we care about."

"I'm trying to eat here," Wymack said.

"Coach doesn't have a sentimental bone in his body," Nicky told Neil. "I don't know what Abby sees in him. He must be really good in—"

"Another word and you're on dish duty," Abby said, and Nicky wisely shut up.

In the end clean-up was a group effort, since they'd pretty much destroyed Abby's kitchen in an attempt to make all the requisite dishes. Afterward they collapsed anywhere they fit in the den. Neil didn't think he'd eat again for at least a month, but somehow the others had room for wine. Nicky, who'd never seen Neil willingly imbibe alcohol, was still optimistic enough to offer Neil his glass.

"Even on a holiday?" Nicky asked when Neil refused.

"He's underage," Abby said.

"So are Aaron and Kevin, but you're not stopping them," Nicky pointed out.

"I'm not encouraging them, either," Abby said.

Kevin had watched the exchange where he was sitting against the entertainment center. When Nicky sighed and subsided, Kevin spoke up in French. "I will watch you. If you want to drink tonight," he added when Neil looked at him. "I won't let you say something you'll regret."

"You'll be drunk inside an hour," Neil said. "Then who'll stop me?"

Kevin gave him a cool look. "I would stop drinking."