My mother-in-law told me to get up at 4 a.m. to cook Thanksgiving dinner for her 30 guests. My husband added, “This time, remember to make everything really perfect!” I smiled and replied, “Of course.” At 3 a.m., I took my suitcase to the airport. – usnews 0/2

The checkout total made my hands shake as I swiped our credit card, knowing Hudson would see the charge later and probably comment about the expense.

Mrs. Suzanne from next door was in line behind me with a single bag of coffee and some muffins.

“Having a big dinner this year?” she asked, eyeing my overflowing cart with concern.

“Thanksgiving for thirty-two,” I replied, trying to sound casual about it.

Her eyes widened.

“Thirty-two? By yourself?”

“My husband will help,” I said automatically, though the words tasted like lies.

She looked at me for a long moment, and I could see pity creeping into her expression.

“Honey, that’s not help. That’s watching someone drown while standing on the dock.”

Her words followed me home and echoed in my head as I began the prep work. I laid out ingredients across every available counter space, transforming our kitchen into something that looked more like a commercial food preparation facility than a home.m