The smell of roasted turkey filled the warm dining room on Christmas afternoon.
Bright white walls reflected the twinkling lights from the massive tree in the corner.
Clara adjusted the small red bow attached to her baby daughter Lily's soft hair.
Lily giggled softly while sitting comfortably in her brand new wooden high chair.
Mark smiled as he brought another heavy serving tray out from the kitchen.
Everything seemed completely picture perfect for their first holiday dinner in the new house.
Clara had spent weeks planning every detail of this special family Christmas dinner.
She wanted every relative to feel welcome and cherished after such a long year.
Her sister Megan sat across the table wearing a bright mustard yellow sweater.
Megan looked down at her smartphone with a tight and unreadable expression.
She barely acknowledged the beautiful spread of holiday food placed before her.
Mark sat down at the head of the table and took a deep breath.
Mark: I am so glad we could all finally get together today.
Clara: Me too, honey, it took so much planning to make this happen.
Megan set her expensive phone down on the linen tablecloth with a sharp click.
Megan: Some of us had to cancel important holiday travel plans to be here.
Clara looked up quickly, feeling a sudden sting from her sister's cool tone.
Clara: We really appreciate you coming over today, Megan, it means a lot.
Megan: Right, well, hopefully the food makes the long drive worth it.
Mark caught Clara's eye across the table and offered a supportive little smile.
He knew the relationship between the two sisters had been strained for years.
Megan always felt jealous of Clara's stable life and happy growing family.
Little baby Lily let out a happy squeal and reached for a plastic spoon.
The spoon dropped to the hardwood floor with a soft plastic clatter.
Megan flinched violently as if the tiny noise had completely shattered her concentration.
Megan: Can you please keep her quiet for just five minutes today?
Clara: She is just a baby, Megan, she did not mean to make noise.
Megan rolled her eyes and picked up her crystal glass of iced water.
The atmosphere inside the dining room turned icy in a matter of seconds.
Mark poured drinks for everyone while trying to keep the conversation going smoothly.
Mark: So, Megan, how are things going at your firm these days?
Megan: Busy, as usual, because some people actually focus hard on their careers.
Clara bit her lower lip to hold back an angry response to the dig.
She wanted this holiday dinner to stay peaceful for baby Lily's sake.
Lily began patting her small hands onto the tray of her high chair happily.
Megan stared at the toddler with an intense glare that seemed almost spiteful.
The cheerful holiday music playing in the background suddenly felt out of place.
Unspoken grievances hung heavily in the warm air of the bright dining room.