Holiday Tails

Chapter 2
Kids Table

Chapter Description: Anyone else who celebrates Thanksgiving have to sit at a kids table? What about as an adult? Again, I don't think I have an aunt Janice. Originally this was gonna be a much longer story before I shortened it for Holiday Tails.

“This place looks lovely.” Adler admires as she looks at my childhood home. “I’m jealous that you got to live in such a spacious looking house growing up.” We’re visiting my parents for thanksgiving since her family doesn’t celebrate it.

“Well, you can tell my parents when we get inside.” It’s a little chilly this evening, so I want to be inside since I’m not too big on the cold.

“Coming!” a familiar female voice calls out as I knock on the front door. Rather quickly the door opens and we’re greeted to the site of my aunt Janice, a Dutch Rabbit, with a smile on her face. “I should have known you would be over soon, Ulrich. And who might you have brought with you?”

“I’m Adler, his significant other.”

“Well it certainly is nice to meet you. Anyways, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we have so many of us over this year that there isn’t enough room at the adult table for everyone. I hope you two won’t mind sitting at the kids table.”

“It shouldn’t be that big of a deal, right Ulrich?” I’m caught off guard by the thought of sitting at the kids table as an adult.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. No problem.”

“Great. Why don’t I get you both a drink?” She merrily makes her way to the kitchen as we take off our coats and manage to find space in the front closet for them.

“So, you worried about the kids seeing a fully grown otter and badger at the kids table?”

“Well, I mean, I haven’t sat at the kids table since I was twelve. It’ll just be a little awkward and embarrassing for me is all.”

“It’s not that embarrassing. Whenever we would go to my uncle Alters’ place for New Years, I had to sit at the kids table for dinner until I was sixteen. That used to embarrass me but I got over it.” Next thing I know my aunt is coming out of the kitchen with drinks for us. After that I decide to show Adler around the house to help pass time. We end up out back with most of my nieces and nephews on my dads’ side after there is really nowhere left to show off.

“Dinner is ready!” my mom eventually calls out from the back door. “Do not forget to wash your hands before you sit at the table!” We stand out of the way as my young nieces and nephews all run to the door. After we get our turn to wash our hands we head over and take our seats at the kids table. Adler makes conversation with one of my nieces as I just sit and wait.

“Aren’t you a little old to sit at the kids table?” my eleven year old nephew- aunt Janices’ boy- asks.

“We are, but your mom said there isn’t any space at the adult table. That’s why Ulrich and I are here.”

“Okay. What’s your name, Mrs. badger?”

“I am Adler.”

“Wait, are you a boy? Adler is a boys’ name.”

“Well, my parents wanted a boy but they got another girl. They were gonna name me Adler and just decided to do it anyways.” Multiple times throughout the tour of the house I felt rather odd and now I’m definitely feeling this odd feeling. It’s almost like a feeling I’ve read used to describe the feeling of age regression in various different stories I’ve read before. I push that feeling down as plates of yummy looking food are placed in front of us.

“Before you all eat, we must pray.” my aunt says as she puts a plate in front of me. Was my aunt always so tall or am I imagining things? I let that slide as I cusp my hands together, put my elbows on the table and lean my forehead to to my knuckles. I can’t wait to eat. The food just looks so yummy and delicious looking. “...Amen. Now we can eat.” Thanksgiving is always fun. I get to play with my cousins and this year Adler is spending the night! I always love it when she spends the night.

“Hey, Ulrich.” Before I get a chance to respond, Adler gives me a kiss on the cheek. I blush as some of my cousins "eww" at what she did. What would little babies like them know about girls or teenage love anyways? “Thank you for inviting me. I love Thanksgiving. Your cousins are so much fun...”