 Ross 's ( David Schwimmer ) complaint that his divorce and eviction means he is having the worst Thanksgiving ever prompts the others to tell their stories . Chandler ( Matthew Perry ) reminds everyone of when his parents told him they were divorcing . Phoebe ( Lisa Kudrow ) then tells of story from a past life when she was a nurse and lost an arm , though Ross objects , with the demand of only tales of present lives . Rachel ( Jennifer Aniston ) says she knows Monica 's ( Courteney Cox ) story , but Phoebe interrupts with a story about the time Joey ( Matt LeBlanc ) had a turkey stuck on his head . Monica tells of Thanksgiving 1987 . Monica and Rachel are eighteen years old and seniors in high school , and an overweight Monica spends time comforting Rachel , after Chip ended their relationship . When Ross learns of Rachel 's breakup , he asks Chandler to stay overnight in the hope of getting a date , but Chandler refuses , claiming that he doesn 't want to be stuck with " your fat sister " Monica . Overhearing the conversation from behind the door , Monica breaks down in tears and storms out . 
