The Empty Chair Now Filled

Thanksgiving in the William's house was a solemn affair the autumn of 1945. The leaves on the oak tree turned orange, yellow, and red same as always. The neighbors were loud with joy of family reunions but as Mrs. Williams looked out the window there was a look on her face that none of the neighbors seemed to have.

You see, Thomas Williams, a young man of 20 years old never came home from the war.

"Emily and Anna, set the table." She told the youngest daughters. The girls obeyed, giggling and chattering to each other, oblivious to their mother's grief. It was only when Emily put one extra plate on the table that she understood her mother's silence. She quickly put the plate back before the rest of her family noticed and became upset as well.

The table was lavishly decorated, the orange and brown centerpiece was as beautiful as it was every year. The family laughed and sang and talked as they ate their meal. But every now and then someone would glance at the empty chair, a painful reminder of what they lost.

"Let's go around and say what we're thankful for." Mr. Williams said, "I'm thankful that we can eat like kings again. No more rations." He lifted his glass in a toast. The others lifted their glasses as well.

"I'm thankful for you, papa, and you too, mama."

"I'm thankful for the pretty leaves."

"I'm thankful for our new home."

"I'm thankful for all of you!"

Last, it was Mrs. Williams turn. All eyes looked at her expectantly as she opened her mouth, once, twice, then-

The doorbell rang.

Mr. Williams huffed and started to get up. "Who's at the door at this time?" He asked, Emily got up faster than he did.

"I'll answer it, don't worry papa." She said, heading around the corner to the door. Mr. Williams sat back down, complaining about the gall of some people.

A few seconds later there was a gasp and then a squeal. "Thomas is home!"

The next few seconds were in shocked silence. Then all at once there was a cacophony of screeching chairs on the floor and a large group heading to the door.

"Thomas!" Mrs. Williams nearly knocked over her eldest son in her excitement. In a mere second the twinkle was back in her eye even though tears fell down her weary cheeks.

"Mama." Thomas said at last. He looked the same as Emily remembered, his brown hair slicked back and his blue eyes bright as if he had just been told a hilarious joke. Before he could say another word he was engulfed in hugs and bombarded with questions from the other family members. He laughed and held his hands up in mock surrender.

"Please, please, please it's Thanksgiving, can't a man eat before having to answer all these questions?" He asked, a teasing tone in his voice.

The family unanimously agreed.

As they sat back down and another plate was set at the previously empty spot, there was a glow that wasn't there before. Everything tasted exactly the same, grandma's stuffing was a little too dry and Mary's mashed potatoes were not perfectly smooth, the pumpkin pie that no one took credit for seemed undercooked but to the happy family everything seemed like it was perfect. Beside her husband, Mrs. Williams watched her family with pride, after all they were together at last after years of separation.

"Mama, you never said what you were thankful for." Emily reminded after they were nearly finished with their meal.

Mrs. Williams smiled at her daughter and then at all her children.

"I'm thankful for all of you." She admitted, and if you were paying very close attention you would see a tear slip down her cheek but it was a tear of joy because her family was finally whole.