The youth group had a dance every month, and Logan was taking advantage of the long Thanksgiving weekend to visit Jackson, his cousin, from out of town. The dance hall was crowded, and the music was both unfamiliar and loud.
“Are you sure you want to stay?” Logan asked over the rumble of feet on the dance floor. Both boys were high school juniors, and even with the prospect of meeting new girls, Logan felt mildly awkward around the group of kids he didn’t know
“Aren’t you having fun? Besides, they haven’t announced the door prizes yet, and I’m feeling lucky tonight.” Jackson was always feeling lucky, but somehow, his luck often turned out to be bad.
The two mingled with young ladies, and Logan ended up getting a few phone numbers. He would be heading back to Oregon in a few days, and he wasn’t convinced that the numbers would be useful. The song died down, and the DJ announced that the dance would be ending with one more slow song. “But first,” he explained, “We’ve got a Thanksgiving Surprise to give away!” Cheers erupted from the crowd, as the dance participants fumbled through their pockets to find their ticket stubs. The DJ grinned wryly and announced the winning number.
The group fell silent as people checked their numbers. A few groans rippled around the room, but the winner did not come forward. Jackosn hurried to where Logan was seated, and he asked Logan what his number was.
“I don’t even care. I never win these things.” Logan seemed ready to leave.
“I was one number off, and we came in together. Check your ticket. I think you won!”
Logan peeled the ticket from between the folds of a receipt from a recent gas fill up. Again, the DJ read the numbers. Logan jumped up, slightly embarrassed for not paying attention the first time around, and casually walked to the DJ’s table. “I think I won,” Logan explained, offering the DJ his matching ticket.
“Folks, we have a winner!” The DJ shoved the microphone at Logan, who grasped it clumsily. “What’s your name,” the DJ asked.
“I’m Logan, and I’m just visiting my cousin, Jackson, for the weekend.” Logan was surprised at the whoops and cheers that erupted. He grinned and began to savor the moment.
“Congratulations, Logan! Your fresh Thanksgiving turkey will be available at the service door immediately after the dance. Enjoy your holiday!
Jackson drove his parents’ minivan around to the service entrance, and Logan knocked on the closed door. The door opened, and Logan explained that he was the winner of the turkey. Two men stood at the service door, and the door swung open to reveal a crate with a live bird inside. Startled, Logan stumbled backward and stammered, “What is that?”
“This is what you won, buddy,” laughed the taller of the two men. They picked the crate up. “Where do you want us to put it?”
Logan looked at Jackson, and Jackson laughed as he popped open the back gate of minivan. Jackson pushed the accumulation of papers and trash aside to make room for the crate. “Congratulations, Logan,” Jackson grinned. “I really did get lucky this time!” Logan rolled his eyes, and the men pushed the crate into the back of the vehicle. Jackson shut the door gently to not startle the bird. “So, happy Thanksgiving, I guess.”
Logan was still stunned as they began driving home. The noisy bird squawked its irritation at the movement of the vehicle. “What should we do with this?”
“We?” Jackson scoffed. “This is not my problem. The real question is what are you going to do with this?”
The pair arrived at Jackson’s home, and Jackson’s dad met the two at the door. He was sympathetic to Logan’s dilemma, but, like Jackson, he was unwilling to take ownership of the situation. Logan began to casually discuss options.
“I can’t take this thing back home with me, and you guys don’t want it. Do either of you know anyone who would want a live turkey?” Logan hoped that by brainstorming, he might find a way to get rid of the prize.
Jackson’s dad rubbed his chin and shook his head. Logan noticed the gesture and hoped that the nugget of an idea was forming. “What are you thinking, Uncle Steve?” Logan asked.
“It’s crazy, but I might have an idea.” Uncle Steve looked at the two boys and asked Jackson, “Do you remember that lady that used to clean our house? I had to let her go when my hours got cut. I wonder if she has a Thanksgiving turkey.”
Jackson was unconvinced.“That might work, but will she take a live bird? She won’t want our charity, either.”
Logan grinned. “Then let’s not tell her that it’s charity…or that it’s a live bird!” The two young men formed a plan.
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