Fallout (Crank 3)

about this. But even Aunt

Cora would have a hard

time believing I’m really in

love.

I CRASH

Back to earth. Back to reality.

Back to Thanksgiving with strangers.

Aunt Cora swore all would be well.

You’ll love Liam’s family, she promised.

And you’ll feel right at home. I’m even

making my green bean casserole.

Yeah, boy. Thanksgiving would not

be the same without it. Everyone’s

supposed to bring something.

How about your special cranberry

sauce? asked Aunt Cora, when I

claimed I didn’t know what to make.

I use two secret ingredients—

orange and cinnamon. It’s easy

but tedious, and three hours until

we’re supposed to ring the doorbell,

I should get to getting, as Grandfather

says. Aunt Cora usually helps me, but

she’s already at the Cregans’, dousing

green beans with cream o’ shrooms.

I DON’T NEED HER HELP

I’ve made this recipe twice a year

(Christmas, too) since I could tell

the difference between a saucepan

and a skillet. It just seems strange,