Space City by Jared Austin

Author:Jared Austin [Jared Austin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Up Past Dawn
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21—Neil’s Thanksgiving with Maellyn

Neil stepped off the monorail into the residential neighborhoods, though little distinguished it from downtown. People lived in condominium skyscrapers. The lower floors included private balconies, and restaurants or convenience stores filled most ground floors. Large oak trees lined the moving walkways through the neighborhoods, their leaves gold and red, imbuing everything with a sense of fall. Strangely, no leaves littered the ground. Neil expected the chilly fall breeze to whisk leaves everywhere, but maybe they were artificial and served dual purposes like the internet grass.

He pressed through the crowd and stepped onto the moving sidewalks. Maellyn had told him not to worry about bringing anything, that her father always prepared too much food for Thanksgiving. But if Neil had ever dared bring a friend over to the house empty handed, his uncle would’ve complained incessantly about one more mouth to feed.

On his way, he had stopped by Colombo Caramella to restock on sea sours and pumpkin canes, and a small gift for Maellyn. Mr. Colombo had talked so much that Neil had despaired he might end up late for the meal. He wanted to avoid making a bad first impression with Dr. Trevena. Only Nico’s reminder that they were running late for their own dinner plans had finally freed Neil.

Riagan and Rois had spent every holiday on their own in Ireland and decided to keep up that tradition here on Space City, but Neil suspected it was at Riagan’s insistence. Neil had just shrugged when Rois told them. He was done trying to appease Riagan.

Jaya also had his own traditions with his dad, which included a trip to the race that afternoon. Neil was a little jealous that he’d miss it, but he couldn’t say no to an actual Thanksgiving dinner invitation. Especially one from Maellyn.

The scent of fresh baked bread in the bakery on the bottom floor drew Neil into Maellyn’s complex. He purchased one sourdough loaf and pompe de noel bread because the baker insisted it was a necessity for any Thanksgiving meal. Neil’s stomach grumbled as he carried the loaves to the elevator, but it probably wasn’t kosher to bring partially eaten food to a party.

Exiting the elevator on the thirteenth floor, he shuffled nervously down the narrow hallway to 13C and knocked on the white door. To his relief, Maellyn answered. Flour dotted her left cheek and covered her hands, elbows, and harvest wheat-colored shirt.

“Just in time.” She held the door wide for him to enter. “Dad’s making a mess of the apple pie.”

Unsure how to respond to that, he offered her the loaves. “I brought bread.”

She grabbed the loaves, eyes devouring, and held them to her nose and inhaled. “I love pompe de noel.”

Neil was grateful for the baker’s suggestion.

“Also got some cherry blossoms from Nico for you.” He handed the small red gift bag with the chocolates to her, too.

“Thanks.” Her eyes twinkled before she turned on her heels.

Neil followed Maellyn through a short hallway past two small rooms

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