INT. MENDELSON DINING ROOM – THANKSGIVING DINNER

  The table is lively—filled with laughter, half-eaten plates of turkey and kugel, the glow of candles flickering softly. Amid the clinking of silverware and casual chatter, Zeb turns toward Thomas with a thoughtful look.

  Zeb:

  Thomas, how would you feel about doing a little work for me during the first week of winter break?

  Thomas (pausing, curious):

  What kind of work?

  Zeb:

  We’re trying to organize some of our internal data—bring it fully into the digital age.

  We don’t want to send it out. It’s too sensitive, too nuanced. But I’ve seen how your mind works. You spot patterns other people miss.

  Thomas shifts, listening closely.

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  Zeb (cont’d):

  So the idea is: we’ll get you set up, give you access, and your job would be to figure out the best way to organize it. Maybe even sketch out how you’d begin programming it. No pressure to build a full system, just… show us how you’d think through the mess.

  Thomas (softly):

  I think I could do that.

  Zeb (smiling):

  I’ve got a hunch you’ll come up with something better than we’d expect.

  Zeb turns to Shoshana.

  Zeb (gently teasing):

  And Shoshana—would you want to help him out? Now, this won’t be swinging under the big tree out back.

  But it might be a great way to see how you two actually work together. You bring strengths that Tzuriel doesn’t have, and that balance might be exactly what we need.

  Shoshana (nodding):

  I could do that. Then the second week, I’ll be at Grandma and Grandpa’s… or maybe staying with Veronica.

  David (interjecting):

  That’s up to you, but the plan would be for Thomas to stay at Zeb and Tamar’s house that first week—if everyone’s good with that.

  Thomas glances at Shoshana, who gives a small, encouraging smile.

  Thomas (quietly):

  Yeah. I’m good with it.

  Ruth, seated nearby, watches the quiet exchange with warmth. There’s pride in her eyes—but also the unmistakable awareness that something is shifting. The boy who once hovered at the edge of the table is now being invited in.

  Dinner resumes, the room full again with voices, laughter, and the deep comfort of chosen family.