Lucy looks out the car window as they drive down the bumpy, gravel road. Her Uncle Richard had invited them all over for a Thanksgiving meal, as he did every year. They passed under an archway with the family name "Williams," it was her grandpa's last name. The whole family gathered every year at his mansion, exchanging stories and speaking of Christmas plans. Every aunt, uncle, grand, great-grand, and cousin gathered together for a feast. Lucy spent her time with the other kids in one of the many rooms, they all had brought their toys and spent the day playing and screaming for parents when someone did something wrong.
Finally, there was a bell ringing. Parents began calling for kids and everybody raced to the dining room. There was a long table with a table runner down the middle, candles and flowers gathering in the middle of it with leaves under it. There were piles of fruit and pumpkins in the middle, bright red apples and deep purple grapes, and the table was set with several forks and knives and spoons and even multiple glasses. Uncle Richard stood at the head of the table and clapped his hands together once, smiling brightly as he spoke, "Alright everybody! I wanted to gather everyone together to talk, perhaps discuss what we're thankful for. Then, we shall sit and have a small appetiser. In about an hour the meal will be served. You all may wander in this time, but don't blame me if the best cuts are taken before you return!" He chuckles heartily and took a seat, followed by the continuation of chatting as people pulled their chairs out and followed along.
Lucy's mother leant down and pulled her chair out for her, kissing her on the head as she pushed it in. To her left was her mother, and then her dad. She looked around as servants came in behind everybody and laid silver dishes on the table. Once it was laid out, they lifted the cover to reveal crunchy crackers covered with cheeses and spices, rolls with filling and a toothpick through them, figs peeled beautifully with other bits of fruit in them and much more. The plates were picked up and passed down, the servants helping to make sure everything was passed to everyone. Lucy grabbed a few things as they were passed in front of her face, deep smells filling her nose.
After drinks and merry chatter filled the room people began to leave the room and hang out in the parlour or drawing room. Many took their drinks with them, and some would pop in to get a fill up every now and then. The kids ended up going out the the back garden, even if it was a bit bare there were some plants left to hide behind. Once again, they heard the clanging of the dinner bell and conversation flooded the dining room once again. Everybody cluttered inside, standing around their chairs with heavy laughter. They had new plates and glasses as well as even more silverware and a cup for tea or coffee. Some took their places while others loitered in the doorway. The servants carried on, setting all of the different sized silver platters with large domes. There were two that were especially large, which must have been the ham and turkey. Gravy boats and sauces gathered on the table. The smell of sagey turkey, sweet cranberries and savory gratin pulled everyone to the table, eagerly sitting to await the food. The chatter was loud as ever until people began looking around for missing people, "Where's grandpa Williams?" they'd ask a moment before he popped in, leaning on his cane. "Margaret?" she piped from the other side of the table, "I'm down here!" followed by laughter. Finally everyone had been accounted for, save uncle Richard.
After a few minutes of waiting, grandpa Williams called out, "I say we go ahead and eat," with aunt Tracy's reply, "He was just taking a call, shall I go fetch him from the office?" and murmers filled the room. A servant spoke as she entered the dining room from the kitchen, sweat running down her forehead, "Master Richard told us to begin at one o'clock even if he didn't return," which was followed by cheers. Everybody peered as the other servants filled the room, looking equally exhausted, and lifted the silver domes. They practically drooled as the smels wafted from the steaming plates, it was difficult to wait.
Finally, two servants leaned over the table each grabbing one of the large domes. Everybody watched, waiting for the moment to cheer. They lifted them up and a cheer exploded, but wore off. The servant holding one of the domes screamed and dropped the lid, letting it crash onto the table with a clang, the other looking over at her with wide eyes and gasping. Some gasps could be heard through the mix and quickly a scream could be heard, followed by scooting of chairs and a glass being dropped and shattering. There was a dumbfounded silence for a moment as they all peered down.
In place of the turkey was dear uncle Richard's head. His face rested in unmoving form, there was even garland with blood clotting in it from the severed neck. More screams broke out, followed by shouting and loud chatter. Some stared in disbeleif, others wretched into the floor. Some screamed and some paced the room. Lucy's father stood, "Alright everyone! Calm down! Listen," the sounds lowered a bit, "I said listen!" a hush fell over the crowd, he stood on a chair and adjusted his glasses. "Joe, secure the doors, make sure nobody leaves. Stacy, take account for all the kitchen staff. I'll call 911 and somebody get the kids
out of here." he looked down at Lucy and patted her head. There was a shuffling and everybody began covering their stations, all except Tracy who wept on the table, her head in her own plate. Soon Lucy was shooed away by her mom, as well as other parents gathering their children.
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