Sometimes the most awkward moments arise when family gatherings are at their loosest. Like the Christmas dinner our grandmother brought home an emu. Yes, an actual emu. Mom thought it was a weird art project come to life when Grandpa presented it from the backyard as a gift. My younger sister started frantically calling animal shelters for an explanation while I wondered why Grandpa thought emus could double as table decorations. Grandma was overjoyed, beaming, "Oh Edna, isn't he handsome?" while stroking his feathers like they had just adopted a new pet.
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