The table was set, the turkey in the oven, the TV tuned to the football game but where was everyone? They were in the nursery, looking at the newborn baby who wasn't expected to live. The one they said would die surely.
The mother had an ultrasound and was told the baby had serious problems and the heart was not developing properly. She wondered at this and said, "no" when advised to have an abortion.
Now her little girl lay asleep, her blond hair parted to the side, her rosy cheeks glowing. No one had said she'd be beautiful. They'd only spoke of her defects.
Lila didn't care, she had her perfect little girl and to celebrate the family was invited over for Thanksgiving. Her sister Beth insisted on cooking and Lila knew she must obey so soon after giving birth. But no one cared as the timer sounded and the rolls burned in the oven. The turkey got crunchier and the potatoes dissolved in boiling water. Everyone lingered over the crib as little Angie slept on her tummy, swaddled in a pink receiving blanket.
Beth sighed and said, "Better check the dinner." But still she lingered until the smoke alarm beckoned her to the kitchen. Expletives sounded from that direction and Maggie, eldest of the three sisters, tore her gaze from the babe and ran to the kitchen.
Potatoes runny, rolls well done, turkey dry but no one cared. Everyone talked of Angie who slept on through the raucus of the loud football game and clattering of dishes in the kitchen sink.
The women hastily cleaned the kitchen and return to the crib. Angie stirred and cried.
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