Thanksgiving

The Mad Ventriloquist doesn't usually celebrate Thanksgiving. For a long time, he had a hard time thinking about what to be greatful for. So he just drank beer and watched football and sort of forgot that it was a holiday.

It turns out things are different at Derek's house. He had gotten a whole turkey, even though he lives by himself and wasn't expecting The Mad Ventriloquist. He says that he uses the stuff he doesn't eat on Thanksgiving as leftovers. Sandwhiches, stews, bits of pieces for casserole. He like the turkey, and there's something about taking all day to cook one that he enjoys. The Mad Ventriloquist doesn't understand it, but when Derek made the turkey he looked very happy. So he didn't say anything about it being weird.

He did say lots of things about the timing being bad though. The Mad Ventriloquist wanted to leave. Wanted to keep all this and the slender man away from Derek. But he said no. Said that the shoulder needed healing and since The Mad Ventriloquist was there already, they might as well sit down at a meal together and figure out what they were thankful for.

Derek said that's why he likes Thanksgiving. It's the one time of year that he can look at everything, and realize there are a lot of things about his life that he likes. A lot of things that don't suck.

The Mad Ventriloquist sometimes think he and David did Derek a great wrong. They tried to prepare him for the world. Tried to make him strong. But really all they taught him was that there were bad people in the world.

They must have done something right, though. Derek's a wonderful man. He and The Mad Ventriloquist talked and ate and caught up and talked more. It was all really nice, actually. It made him realize a lot of things, actually.

The Mad Ventriloquist realizes that while he was enjoying turkey with David's son, the safe house Hope was destroyed. Awfully. And that is really sad and awful and The Mad Ventriloquist's heart goes out to those who died.

At the same time, Thanksgiving this year made him realize something. There is always hope. There is always a tiny light in the dark. A friend, a helping hand, something.

People are in very dark spots. The Mad Ventriloquist finally saw the slender man. He understands now more than he ever has before. He felt fear deeper than all those years trying to go outside. Deeper than any fear he had ever had. He came in without warning. He injured The Mad Ventriloquist. Then he just stood there, staring. He left after a while, as suddenly as he had come. The whole thing was great and terrible.

Yet, despite it all, Derek took The Mad Ventriloquist by the hand, and told him to stay. Had him have a nice thanksgiving turkey dinner. Talked about cabinets and mountains and life and beautiful things. And The Mad Ventriloquist couldn't help but think of beautiful things as well.

There is always something to be thankful for.