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

“Where’s Isabella?” asked Aunt Margaret, looking around for the hostess who usually greeted everyone with genuine warmth and the promise of an amazing meal.

“She had to step out. Emergency,” Hudson said.

The living room filled with increasingly confused relatives. Conversations grew stilted as people realized something was seriously wrong. The dining room table, set with Isabella’s careful place settings from two days ago, stood ready for a feast that didn’t exist.

Vivien emerged from the kitchen looking like she’d been through a war. Her perfect hair was disheveled, her clothes stained with various food substances, and her usual composure had cracked to reveal something close to panic.

“Everyone, please be patient. We’ve had some unexpected challenges with the meal preparation.”

Mr. Sanders, a man accustomed to country club service and fine dining, looked at his watch pointedly.

“We were told dinner would be served at 2 p.m. It’s nearly that time now.”