A very short story about Thanksgiving, available online on Ann Leckie's website.

Grandpa has died, but the family comes together anyway, to uphold the tradition. Sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, ... all are present. But the biggest surprise is: grandpa's there too, dug up from his grave. Seems like someone can't say goodbye, can't let go; something not everyone is fond of. This leads to one seat too short, leaving one of the daughters-in-law standing and not being given/presented a seat, despite alternatives. And you can't separate the kids from the rest of the family, now can you? And that's when sh*t hits the fan; something's got to give.

This 4-pages short story was a little creepy with the dead body at the table, but foremost, it shows how family ties aren't always as strong as one thinks, despite traditions. At least, that's what I understood from this tale. ( )

The family comes home for Thanksgiving… even Grandpa, who's been dead for 10 months. I get the point about moving on and the rearrangement that goes on in a family after one of them passes away, and this story had some nice moments, but as a whole it didn't really grab me.