Colin took Josiah to his room and then came back down shaking his head. “He really needs to get a grip.”
Aimee looked over at Colin from her chair. “What is his story anyway?”
Colin looked up at the stairs. He was getting ready to tell her when Aiden, Lexi, Piper, and Sophia came in.
“What’s whose story?” Piper asked.
“Josiah’s.” Aimee replied.
Colin shook his head. “I don’t know where to start. Josiah was born on a cold dark night…”
Aimee threw a pillow at him. “Be serious. Why is he so miserable?”
“Ok. But first we need to have a history lesson.” Colin began in a monotone professor voice. “In the late 80’s and early 90’s our country was having a civil war. It did not make national headlines because of a far more dangerous war of that time.”
Aiden laughed. “How about I do the history part, then you can tell her about Josiah?”
“Aimee, the war was in the early 90s. It was started by a group of radicals. It was called The Radical War. They wanted to overturn our Monarchy. The head of the radicals was upset because his niece would not marry my dad. So he decided to begin war and take my family down. When he saw that he was no match for our military, he began targeting single women around his niece’s age and widowers. He was so evil; it was rumored he even killed his own wife.”
Aimee covered her mouth. “Oh my goodness. He sounds horrible.”
Piper looked at Aimee. “He was horrible. My mom was lucky she had already married my dad.”
“Anyway.” Aiden continued. “The women who could afford to leave, fled the country. My family enlisted the help of a secret service the United States had; and, they helped these ladies leave Neahovia safely.”
“Like immigration or something.”
“No, they just ensured them safety until they got out of Neahovia. It was up to them to find shelter. Many had family in the other countries and that is where they stayed.”
“And those who could not afford to do so?”
“Like I said, my family tried to help them. We set up multiple shelters to protect them. But, some refused to leave their homes. They wanted to stay and take their chances and fight for what was theirs.”
Lexi was pale. “Some of them died trying to protect the homes that had been in their families for years.”
“How did you stop this demon?”
“Eventually our Armed Services found him and captured the radicals. Some died during the battle the others are in prison.” Aiden added.
“So did you catch the mastermind of this radical group?”
“He was among the ones killed.” Piper added.
“Ok, what does all this have to do with Josiah?”
Colin looked at her. “Ok, his mom and grandma chose to stay. One night, the Radical Army attacked their house. More so, his mom. She was taken advantage of by a few of the Radical Soldiers. As a, result she became pregnant with Josiah.”
“Oh.”
“There is more. Josiah’s grandmother wanted his mom to leave the country and have an abortion; but, she just couldn’t do it. She was a Christian; and, that stood against everything she believed. She died shortly after giving birth to Josiah. His grandmother was left to raise him. But she constantly blamed God and Josiah for his mother’s death. When he was eight, she passed away too.”
“So he was an orphan?”
“I guess that is the term; but, his mother was a cousin of my dad’s. So, my dad and mom took over custody of him. Mom has tried to help him; but, he has slipped into such a dark place. We just keep hoping someday he will let go of the pain.” Colin had tears in his eyes.
Aimee was crying. “I know how hard it is to lose your mom and grandmother. I am so lucky I have my dad.”
“Yeah, we often forget that.”
LJ came over and sat in the chair with Aimee. “Are you ok?” She nodded.
He shook his head and looked at Colin. “I never knew all that about Josiah. We always just thought he was weird.”
Aimee looked at him. “That’s not nice. Most people like him have a story.”
“I am sorry, I just hadn’t thought that.”
Aimee smiled. “Oh LJ. I have so much to teach you.”
Colin stood. “I am going to check up on him.”
Aimee waited for him to leave. “That is so sad.”
Aiden was rattling loose change in his pocket. “Yeah, Josiah’s grandmother left the entire inheritance to him. Colin’s parents have tried everything to help him. He really could make something great of his life.”
“Are Colin’s parents Christians?” Aimee asked.
“No.” Piper answered.
Aimee looked at her. “Well, Piper, we need to pray hard for him.”
Piper nodded and when Colin came down, everyone changed the subject.
Chapter Six
The fourth week of November had arrived quickly. Piper and James were now officially a couple. LJ was at flat 707 more than his own. Josiah was gone more than he was at flat 707. Aiden and Ava were still an item. Colin, just as Lexi had predicted, was with a different girl every week. And Lexi and Aimee are still single.
Aimee was still trying to find out more about her mom. Today was Sunday evening and Aimee was working on an online assignment for her Business Accounting class. All her roommates happened to be out and she was looking forward to a quiet afternoon. She had to finish this assignment and study for a Professional Development test on Monday. She was just completing her online assignment when her phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Aimee, it’s dad, I haven’t heard from you in a few days.”
“Sorry, dad. I have been studying a lot. Midterms are next week and I have a lot of assignments do.”
“How are your grades?”
“All A’s."
“Great, sweetie.”
“Thanks. How is everyone at home?”
“Everyone’s great. Deandre sends her love.”
“I’m sure she does.”
“The twins are walking and talking.”
“Wow. They are growing up fast.”
“Maddie misses you.”
“I miss her too.”
“So, are you coming home for Thanksgiving?”
“No, I have class all week. American Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday here in Neahovia.”
“I forgot. I will tell Deandre, so she can inform the catering service.”
“You are seriously catering Thanksgiving Dinner?”
“Yes, honey. She just doesn’t have time to fix a dinner like that.”
“I see.”
“I have a meeting to go to. Let me know about Christmas so I can order your plane tickets.”
“Ok, I’ll text my schedule to you. Love you, dad.”
“Love you too.”
So much for studying. Aimee called her little sister, Maddie, and let her tell her all about her life as a five year old. She learned about her life in kindergarten, her cheer team, and her new hip hop dance routine. It was one Aimee did as a child. Deandre promised to video it and send it to Aimee. Just before they hung up, Aimee promised to take her shopping when she came home for Christmas.
Missing Maddie was the hard part of studying in Neahovia. She became close to her last year when her dad had insisted she attend her senior year of high school in the same private school as her cousins. Aimee wiped a tear from her cheek.
“So, we were not eavesdropping, but are you ok?” Aiden sat beside her while Lexi, Piper, and Sophia sat on the floor in front of her.
“Yeah, just a couple of calls from home...America.”
“Honey, America is your home.” Lexi forced a smile.
“I know, it’s just hard to call Virginia my home; especially, since I was rarely there. I have spent most of my time either in boarding school or on the plantation.”
“So, what is an American Thanksgiving like?” Sophia brilliantly changed the subject.
Aimee w
as so thankful. “You overheard both conversations?”
“Sorry.” Piper smiled.
“It’s ok. It is a day we set aside to give thanks. It was a tradition started by the Pilgrims in 1621. It was a three day feast they had to celebrate a good harvest with their new friends, the Indians or Native Americans, for helping them.”
Aimee told the story of the first Thanksgiving. Colin entered the room at the end.
“What do people today fix?” Sophia seemed eager.
“The traditional Thanksgiving I grew up on consisted of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls, and my favorite dish was a homemade cranberry stuffing my mom made. It was a recipe she brought with her from Neahovia. Then dessert was pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie, and pumpkin rolls.”
“Wow.” Aiden and Colin patted their stomachs. “No wonder Deandre wants to cater.” Aiden added.
“That was tradition, when mom and Gran were living. Since Gran died, we spend Thanksgiving at a different family member’s home. Some fix turkey, some ham, and once we even had roast beef. God only knows what Deandre is having served. My favorite Thanksgiving memories are the ones spent with my mom; and, Gran; and, someday, I want to restart that tradition with my own family.”
“So, when is Thanksgiving?” Sophia asked.
“The fourth Thursday of November.”
“Sorry you have to miss it.”
“I chose to study here. What I am really going to miss is Maddie and Black Friday.”
“What is Black Friday?” Lexi asked.
“It is the busiest shopping day of the year.”
Lexi nearly fainted as Aimee shared the wondrous stories of the joy of shopping on Black Friday.
Aimee had been thinking of her mom the past few weeks but today was the worse. She was having a hard time focusing in class. Aiden took excellent notes and tried to help keep her as focused as he could. She had a power point presentation due in her Marketing Class. With the aide of Aiden, she was able to put it together.
She got an A on the project; that did boost her spirits. Only she and Aiden were eating lunch on campus today. He insisted on a light lunch and then they could go to the campus library to work on a research paper.
After the last class was over, Aiden carried Aimee’s book bag as they walked back to the flat. The wind was very chilly. Aimee wrapped her faux fur cream coat around her arms. The peach and white sweater was not providing her the warmth she needed. She wrapped the scarf around her neck.
Aiden stopped in front of a Steaming Joes. “You want to get a hot cup for the walk home?”
Aimee grinned. “Your psychic abilities are back.”
“What can I say?”
Aiden ordered the coffee and paid for it. Aimee took a seat near the front window while they waited for their order. Aiden’s phone rang and he excused himself. When he returned, Aimee had already finished her cup. He ordered a refill for her and sat to drink his while they waited.
“Sorry it took so long. The call took longer than I thought. Are you still thinking about your mom?”
“Psychic mind reader.”
“Nah. You’re just predictable.”
“Holidays are always tough. It is weird. Some days I still think about her all day long. There are still days when something happens and I pick up the phone to call her or Gran. Then, just as I go to dial, I remember they are gone.”
“I don’t think that’s crazy, Aimee. I think a lot of people do that when they lose someone close to them.”
“I also feel guilty at times. When I am having fun, I feel like I am letting them down or being disrespectful to their memory.”
“Aimee, that’s not true. You were ten when your mom died and twelve when your Gran died. Neither of them would want you not to live life to its fullest. They would want you to enjoy every day.”
“I know that in my heart. I just wish my brain would get the message.”
“It will.”
“I want to learn more about them. What their lives here were like? Why they left? Because I think then, maybe I could find some peace.”
“Aimee, I don’t want to make you more upset, but I have been thinking. You know how we can’t find their names in any of the archives we are searching?”
“Yeah.”
“When did they move to America?”
“In 1990 I think.”
“Aimee, do you remember when we told you Josiah’s story? We had a history lesson.”
“Yeah. Aiden I’m not liking where this is going.”
“I know. But they, more than likely, left because of the war. And if they did, the names you know them by may not be their real names.”
“Aiden, that would be saying that my whole life, the people I love the most, have been lying to me; and, everything I thought about myself is not true.”
“I wouldn’t look at it as being lied too. More like protecting you. Look at Josiah. Maybe if his grandmother had not told him of the violent way he was conceived, he would not be so miserable.”
“I have actually thought about that same thing.”
“How did your dad meet your mom?”
“I have asked him numerous times. He always tells me they met here, during an assignment; and, that they fell in love and she came to America. When I try to ask more questions, he says he can’t to talk about it.”
“What was your dad's’ job when he was here?”
“He says it is confidential. You don’t think he was part of the special team sent here by America?”
“I don’t know, the mission was top secret. My dad doesn’t go into much detail on how it worked.”
“I wish I could remember more about when we came and visited the beach. But, I was so young.”
“Hey, we will figure this out. Together, all of us. We will help you.”
“Thanks.”
The flat smelled oddly like Aimee’s Gran’s on Thanksgiving Day. Aiden took her coat and laid it with her bag. When they walked into the living area, Colin was standing with a sign reading: Happy Thanksgiving, Aimee!
Aimee nearly cried. “What is this?”
“Your Thanksgiving Day surprise.” Aiden grinned and directed her toward the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen was Lexi, Piper, James, Tessa, Cameron, and Piper’s mom. Sophia was at the stove helping Mark with removing the turkey from the oven.
“You guys are the best.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.” Everyone said in unison.
“You didn’t have to do this.” She was crying now.
Piper and Lexi came and hugged her. “We wanted to.”
“Yeah, you made it sound so delicious.” Colin hugged her from behind.
Aimee laughed. As Aiden pulled out her a chair, Sophia had the guys help fix the drinks, and then Mark asked for the blessing over the food.
Sophia came to Aimee. “We tried to stick to your mom’s Thanksgiving meal. I had Piper snoop through your memory book, to get me the recipes. We put them back.”
Aimee hugged her. “You are so sweet, Sophia. I want to say something before we eat. Part of the first American Thanksgiving day was the pilgrims and the Indians being thankful for their new found friendship. I think that fits a description for this Thanksgiving dinner; we can be thankful for the new friendships we have formed the past few months.”
Mark stood once more. “Aimee you are so right. Today we celebrate being thankful for the friendship and love in this room. God has seen fit to bring us together and for that, we all need to be thankful.”
The dinner was great. The turkey was juicy and the dressing was just right. Aimee complemented them all through the meal. Just before Sophia served dessert, Aimee explained another of her favorite traditions.
“We all hold hands and take turns telling what we are thankful for. Once everyone is done, we have a prayer of Thanks.”
Lexi smiled and took Aimee’s hand. “I like that.” Everyone held hands as Lexi started.
“I am thankful that God
has placed Aimee in our lives. She has been such a positive influence on all of us.” Aimee gave her a hug and wiped a tear.
“No crying.” Aiden looked at her. “I am thankful for my family, my friends old, and new, and our great country.”
Everyone at the table took turns telling what they were thankful for. Colin was thankful for his friends and family, Piper was thankful for Aimee being in Neahovia and for God leading her to James. James said much of the same. Sophia was thankful for hearing from the culinary school; she goes for an interview during winter break.
Aimee cleared her throat when it came to her. “I am thankful for so much. My family, my friends, and, most important, my salvation. Right now, I am thankful for the memories I have of my mom and Gran. I am also thankful for the family he gave me in Neahovia; and, that they love me enough to fix me an American Thanksgiving. I love you guys.”
Chapter Seven
Christmas break went by fast. Aimee flew to the states and stayed until December 28th with her family. She flew back to Neahovia early so she would be back in time to be rested before January 2nd, when classes started back and the reviews for finals began.
Her dad gave her a new cell phone, laptop, and a gift card for the ski resort, where she would spend Winter Break with her friends. Everyone else bought accessories for her phone and laptop.
Aimee had finished packing her bags. The next ten days she was spending at Normark Ski Resort. It was located in Normark Village in the Loopy Mountains. Planning this trip took weeks. Now, all security checks where done and it was safe for Aiden on the mountain. Everything was in place.
Aimee and Lexi sat the last of their bags in the foyer. Colin and LJ was loading LJ’s SUV, while the girls double checked the flat. Everything in the flat was turned off and locked. Lexi was going over her checklist, make-up, shoes, gift cards, and lots of lotion. Aimee was having fun teasing her over her checklist when Piper came running down the stairs singing a glamorous love song. “I can’t believe that James is going to meet my dad today.”
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