The Guide to Thanksgiving for a 14 year-old Girl

Sit at the counter with your head down in your 

phone, and your legs crossed. The dogs bark

as strangers walk up the driveway. Who are

they? I’m not sure, but they are family in some

way. Sit at the counter with your head down, so you don’t have to get up and hug those strangers.

Count the minutes until dinner is ready, you haven’t eaten all day. When dinner is ready, wait, so you aren’t 

the first person to go up; they can’t think you are hungry. As you fill your plate, do it slowly, thoughtfully. 

You can go up for seconds but you can’t be seen as hungry by those strangers. Keep your sleeves down to your wrist, 

or your great-aunt will tell you how rough your arms are.

Sit at the kids table, and have awkward conversations 

with your cousin, even though his airpods are in  

watching a youtuber “spend 24 hours in Target.” He isn’t 

listening so go back to eating your food in silence. Take out your phone again, and text your friends about how 

bored you are all alone. When you finish eating, take your plate to the sink. Ask everyone else if you can take 

their plate too,  but before your dad reminds you, so he is impressed by your manners. Sit on the couch with 

your head down swallowed by social media looking at models on runways and actors winning awards; wishing 

you were them. At some point you will end up talking to your great-uncle; you don’t like talking to him but he is 

family. Talk to him about school, impress him with your grades and what activities you do. When dessert comes 

out take one slice of pie, and maybe a cookie. Everything is too sweet anyways. Eavesdrop on the 

adult conversations while sipping on hot chocolate. You want to join in but you can’t;

you’re too young. Watch the adults; pay attention to their 

body language. Focus on your posture, maybe someone

is looking at you, analyzing your body too. The way you sit or if you have something on your face. Talk to your 

aunt, the only one you like, about how everyone else at dinner is boring. Watch the clock until everyone leaves. 

Prepare yourself for the hugs and “see you soon”s from 

everyone. Keep your lips in a tight smile.