Family dinner

Family Dinner

In this small suburban town in Ohio, a cozy family of skunks resides in a charming brick house. The house stands out with festive Christmas lights wrapped around the windows, casting a warm glow against the crisp winter night. A cheerful Santa Clause display adds to the holiday festive decor on the roof, adding a bit of holiday cheer to the house.

Inside the house, the living room is filled with Christmas specials playing on the television set. Three stockings are taped to the soft pink walls, waiting to be filled with holiday surprises. Nearby, a Christmas tree stands proudly, adorned with sparkling glass ornaments in various colors; the Christmas lights wrap around the tree, adding to the festive atmosphere. The room feels cozy, and the air is full of the scent of pine throughout the living room.

The lady of the house is Endora. She is a mature plump woman, with white hair, and glasses. She is wearing a green, and white candy cane stripe sweater and matching leggings.

Endora stood in front of the red microwave, her plump form filling the space of the quaint kitchen. She adjusted her glasses and muttered to herself, as her eyes narrowed at the turkey spinning inside the microwave. She grumbled to herself. "Not quite right yet, hm." She turns to the white countertop and grabs a sharp knife, as she raises the knife in the air, cutting the cabbage in half.

The sharp sound of her knife slicing through cabbage filled the air, and her hands moved quickly despite her frustration. The green and white candy-cane striped sweater stretched over her as she worked, her matching leggings moving in rhythm as she chopped. Suddenly, a tug on her leg stopped her. Endora's eyes widened as she nearly slipped with the knife, almost cutting her finger and breaking her concentration. Endora snapped. "Tabitha!" looking down at her daughter tugging on her leggings.

The little girl is no more than six years old. The peppermint white Christmas dress, adorned with delicate lace and trim, sparkled faintly in the kitchen's warm light. A high-pitched voice filled with joy"Mommy, when Sabeena will

be here?"

Endora exhaled, and let out a small cough, her patience thinning as she felt the weight of the holiday preparations. Her hand let go of the knife, as she looked down at Tabitha, who was still hovering nearby, Endora's voice became firm and demanding, as she said."Now, play somewhere else, and out you go." She gestured toward the living room, hoping her daughter would take the hint.

Tabitha's excitement dimmed slightly, her small shoulders slumping as she looked down at the floor. The joy in her eyes faded just a touch, replaced by a hint of disappointment. She didn't argue, though. Slowly, she shuffled her feet and walked toward the living room.

Just then, the front door creaked open, and Tabitha's eyes lit up. Her face immediately brightened with glee, she dashed toward the door, her white dress swishing as she ran to the door every step full of excitement.

Tabitha stopped at the front of the door and stared up at her big sister with admiration. Sabrina was shaking from the cold wind, and her glasses perched neatly on her nose. She wore a black leather jacket that looked a little too big for her, she took the jacket off to reveal a blue t-shirt beneath. Her legs were covered by black-and-white fur pants, which made a bold statement of their own.

Sabrina stepped inside, she wasn't alone. Right beside her, with a soft scuff of feet on the doormat, was a grey raccoon his name was R.C. He wore a brown long coat, the kind that looked a little too big for his skinny frame. He paused just inside the door, scanning the room, as took off his glasses, cleaned the lenses, and put them back on.

R.C. slid the brown coat off his shoulders, revealing a simple green long-sleeve shirt underneath. His black slacks fit surprisingly well, complementing his frame, as he put his coat on the coat wrack neatly, next to Sabrina's Jacket.

He gave Sabrina a small, almost bashful glance, adjusting his glasses before looking down at Tabitha. He greeted Tabitha with a friendly smile, as he said."Hello, Tabitha, and Merry Christmas I see you're as excited as ever." Tabitha replied, still hugging Sabrina's leg."Merry Christmas, to you too, Yeah Sabeena I won something at school and want to show you."

Sabrina rolled her eyes with a grin, and a playful smirk as she patted Tabitha's head. Sabrina said."Okay, you can let go now." Tabitha let go of her leg. From across the room, an older skunk, as she saw her father Warren, who had been quietly sitting in his armchair reading the newspaper, glanced up and saw his daughter and his son-in-law as well; with a small smirk, he put it down, and placed it on the nightstand beside him.

He stretched out his chubby and tired body, wearing a green suit, and black tie, and got up from his chair. Walking toward Sabrina and R.C., he smiled warmly as he approached, with a rich and warm voice. "It's good to see you both," Sabrina said with a warm tone of voice back to him. "Glad to see you as well. Mom in the kitchen? "

Warren just nodded. Sabrina yells" Merry Christmas Mom!" Endora walks out the the kitchen and hugs her."Endora said disappointed voice. " Sorry can't chat I'm swamp." Sabrina hugs her mom back." Mom, it's okay talk after dinner." Endora heads back to the kitchen.

Sabrina and R.C. walked over to the couch, and Sabrina sank into the cushions next to her husband. Her usual energy was slightly drained from the long day. Warren returned to his armchair, a contented smile as he got comfortable in his chair, glancing over at Sabrina with a curious expression. " Warren asks. "How was work?" his voice was light but full of interest.

Sabrina and R.C. She had no interest in talking about work, Sabrina replied in a sharp, but not unkind voice. "I rather not talk about it." Before the conversation could go further, Tabitha suddenly bolted from the room, her little feet pattering quickly across the floor. She disappeared for a moment before reappearing with a big grin on her face. She was holding a brightly colored box under her arm.

A colorful board game is covered in front of Sabrina's face. Sabrina looked at six colorful ponies on the board game, Tabitha asked, as she bounced up and down. "Want to play MY Little Pony Monopoly with me? This is what I won!" Sabrina raised an eyebrow. Warren chuckled from his chair, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement, Warren told Sabrina. "She wouldn't stop asking about you."

Sabrina's shoulders slouched, the thought of a game distracting her from her earlier frustration. She glanced down at Tabitha, who was giving her full puppy-dog eyes, her lip pouting just enough to melt anyone's resolve. Sabrina sighed in defeat, her tone softening. "Fine, I'll play with you." Tabitha's face lit up in pure joy, and she bounced up and down with excitement. Tabitha squealed, and said "Yay! Thank you, Sabeena!", Hugging the game tightly to her chest.

Warren took the board game and started setting it up on the floor. He smiled as he set pieces and the money. Tabitha jumped around the living room, her excitement uncontainable as she waited for the game to begin.

R.C. could hear Endora bustling in the kitchen, the sounds of cooking filling the air; before leaving the couch, he kissed Sabrina gently on the cheek, feeling the warmth of the moment. He moved into the kitchen, where he saw Endora busy at the stove, a large pot of cabbage boiling on one burner. The smell of the simmering cabbage mixed with the comforting scent of cornbread baking in the oven. R.C. said. "Merry Christmas." Endora glances in his direction, she starts to fry the yams in a pan, in a half hardly way tone of voice. "Merry Christmas."

He asked Endora, "Do you need some help?"Endora, still not thrilled about having R.C. as a son-in-law wasn't sure what to say but, seeing his offer, with a bit of hesitation, she responded. " Sure, please be careful. "R.C., full of confidence, replied. "Right, leave the turkey to me."

Grabbing a piece of paper out of his pants pocket, he grabbed a white bowl from the cabinet. R.C. goes into the fridge, as he reads the recipe. He pours a little bit of muster, and some herbs into the bowl, and starts steering it up with a spoon. Endora raises an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued; Endora asks.

"A green texter sauce?", still trying to make sense of the unusual color and consistency of the concoction R.C. had just applied to the turkey R.C. smiles sheepishly, "Yeah, I know it's a bit... unconventional. But it's a family recipe. My grandma always makes this sauce with the turkey and a secret ingredient is green chiles. It's got a spicy, tangy kick, and it soaks into the meat.

Trust me, it's delicious!" Endora stares at the turkey, trying to picture the finished product. "Well, I'll admit, I've never seen anything like it before. But if Sabrina liked it, I guess it can't be that bad."R.C. chuckles. "Exactly! I'm hoping you'll love it too. And if not, we can always go back to the classic gravy next time. R.C. remembers" Speaking of the gravy!" R.C. poured gravy into a gravy bowl, putting it into a microwave to let it cook.

Endora let out a small laugh, as she was still skeptical. Endora said to him "Alright, I'm willing to give it a shot. But you better make sure it's cooked perfectly, or you'll never hear the end of it from me."R.C. grins, already excited to share the turkey with everyone. "Don't worry, I've got this. This is going to be the best turkey dinner ever!"

Endora's voice rang through the house again, sharp and demanding, "WARREN!" The echo bounced off the walls as she whipped around from her spot in front of the stove, her narrowed gaze landing on R.C. for a brief moment before turning back to the food. The turkey was slowly roasting, filling the kitchen with its mouth-watering aroma, but it was the mashed potatoes that had her attention now. She stirred the creamy potatoes.

R.C. winced at the tone in Endora's voice. He silently hoped Sabrina wouldn't call his name in that same way. He focused on the turkey, hoping that would be enough. He started to have second thoughts about the turkey. While Warren, who had been sitting on the floor with Tabitha and Sabrina, absorbed with the new board game, he heard his name shouted from the kitchen. With a tired sigh, he stood up and stretched, a little irritated but trying to mask it. "Yes, dear?" he called back as he slowly shuffled towards the kitchen.

Endor asked him "Can you set the table?" Warren rolled his eyes subtly, his voice dripping with a mix of exhaustion and resignation. "Yes, dear," he replied flatly, already knowing that there would be no end to her demands. Warren went to grab the dishes, Sabrina stood up and joined him, offering her help to ease some of the work. Tabitha ran to her sister and told Sabrina. "You owe me 6,000 dollars for landing on Princess Celestia." Sabrina bargains with her saying." How about after dinner give you three cookies, and we call it even?" Tabitha replied with." Make it four, we have a deal."

The table was set with cabbage wrap yam, mashed potatoes, a gravy cup, and a basket of cornbread. Warren carefully placed the turkey in the center. Tabitha climbed up on her chair, beaming at R.C., who sat beside her. Endora sat next to Warren and Sabrina. She cleared her throat and began to speak."R.C. here cooked the turkey, so I want to thank you for that," she said with a nod of appreciation. Sabrina leaned in close to R.C. and whispered in his ear, "I know it came out great."With a proud smile, he whispered back, R.C said in a whispering grateful voice "Thanks, honey."

Everyone piled their plates high with turkey, cabbage wraps stuffed with yam, cornbread, and mashed potatoes drenched in gravy. Endora hesitated, eyeing the turkey before her. She watched as her family enjoyed their meal, laughter filling the room. Finally, she took a bite, savoring the flavor, and with a grateful smile, she turned to R.C." she said, her voice warm with appreciation. "It was very kind of you to share your, family recipe with us R.C."

Tabitha suddenly shouted. "Now, make this night better!" With a burst of excitement, she jumped up from her chair, ran over to the light switch, and turned off the lights. The room fell into darkness, and they all turned toward the Christmas tree, which blinked and shimmered in the soft glow of its lights.

END