The next Thanksgiving included eight people, not thirty-two. Hudson made gravy, Carmen handled the turkey, Ruby brought cornbread, and Isabella baked only two pies before sitting down with everyone else. Vivien eventually arrived at Christmas with a store-bought ham and an imperfect apology, which Isabella accepted as a beginning rather than a full repair. The trip to Hawaii had not destroyed the family; it exposed which traditions depended on one woman disappearing into the kitchen. Isabella still enjoyed cooking, but she no longer confused being needed with being valued. At 2:47 that morning, she had not abandoned Thanksgiving. She had finally included herself.