thank you, part 1

November 2087. Blossom McCarthy is 28, George is 33, Abe is 9 months. Vicky Garth is 23. Amy Jones is 21, Blair is 20. Nobuo Akiyama is 55, Mayumi is 53, Vale is 27. 

previously: the dirty French song // what would you do with it if it happened?




Thanksgiving for the McCarthy and Akiyama families was a cheerful time. This was Blossom’s first year hosting the holiday as a mother—baby Abe’s first Thanksgiving. They couldn’t be more thankful. Both sides of the family were expected in full attendance. The feast would be delicious. Blossom’s mother was the star chef today, although Vicky and Amy helped, too. Blossom wasn’t much of a cook, so she put herself in charge of refilling drinks and lifting spirits. 

This blend of blood-family and friend-family had grown together so beautifully. Blossom's parents loved George and his siblings. The McCarthy clan all adored Blossom's parents and even her unruly little brother, Vale. In-laws became friends. Friends became family.  

And there were three vegetarians in one family, so it was decidedly a convincing tofu roast on their menu. The meat-eaters didn't dare complain. 

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. 

anywhere but here (DAC, Fall 2087)

October 2087. Amy Jones is 21, Josie Booth is 20, Ariel Beech is 19, Drake Cannon is 19, Marcus Sylvester is 19, Liza Hathe is 18. 


Liza didn’t want to admit to her mother that this quiet arts college had been a bad choice. Who ever wanted to tell their mother that she was right? But the truth was, the reputable science college would have been a bad choice as well. So would the modern tech college, the historic ivy league college, and even the local community college. Liza did not want to attend college at all.

How absurd, right? Liza was so smart. Of course she would go to college. That was what everyone expected of her. What else would she do? Certainly not pocket all of her scholarship money and buy two plane tickets to anywhere. Crazy idea—Robbie was still in high school for eight more months.

Campus was busy and full of strangers. She was a country girl, a forest girl, a long babbling creek girl. All these loud, smelly, strange young people made her feel anxious.