Holiday Issue #2: "Dateline—Palo Alto"

A DINNER
Some bring strange guests. Awkward hallway encounters, not enough coffee.

THE FUTURE
Secret conference in kitchen. Who will go to law school?

CONFLICT
"But I made vegetarian dinner." Still there is chicken broth.

NOSTALGIA
Furtive drives past former high school. Possible to get caught?

TRADITION, OR LACK THEREOF
Lack of Hanukkah rituals troubling. Maybe we'll pretend it's Thanksgiving?

FAMILY
Short-sheeted bed, salt in cereal. Home, in desperation, becomes camp.

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
Show-offs play their instruments. Who is finest? Must Dad improv?

IF ONLY
If only they still played Zoo Tycoon. "No. Personal space."

SURETY
"Extra blankets? Some muffins?" "Sure," we say. Sure. Sure. Sure.

THE CALL OF THE WILD
Some get left behind. Cat's soundless, pupils dilated. Savage again?