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My mom greets us at the door. “I can’t believe you boys are having a cookout. Your father would be pleased. He loved these cookouts.”
“I know, Mom. I’m sorry it took us so long to start these up again.”
“I’m just glad you’re having one now. I’ve been looking forward to this.”
We walk into the backyard and see at least six tables set up for food. There are two tables devoted just to beverages and ice. And quite a few kegs of beer over in another section of the yard. I look around and see Carson is already at the smoker. Val and I walk over to him.
“How does it look?”
“Great! It’s been cooking all day.”
“Damn, it smells good.” I pop up the lid of the cooker, and my brother hands me a fork. I reach in and pull off a piece of juicy meat.
“It tastes just like Dad’s.”
“I know. It’s really good and hot."
"What else do we have?”
Val answers because she helped my mom arrange everything. “We have hamburgers and hotdogs for anyone who doesn’t want pork. We also have vegan options. Something for everyone.”
As people begin to arrive, the tables quickly fill up with all kinds of food.
Most of my family is here, and Val invited her team from Carlucci’s. I wave at Ellen when she arrives. When more of my friends arrive, I yell a greeting.
Carson and I are soon busy carving portions of the meat and placing them on people’s plates.
At one point, I look over at Carson, and he and I both have big smiles on our faces. We finally understand why my dad did this. It’s fun getting all these people together to eat, talk and enjoy ourselves.
I see my uncle and wave him over. “Can you spell me on the smoker? I want to find Val.”
“Sure, go find your wife.”
I look around, and I don’t see her. I spot my mom, so I approach her, “Mom, have you seen Val?”
“Yes, she was in the kitchen. She’s been such a big help. But Chase, she could be anywhere.”
“No problem. I’ll find her.”
I walk through the kitchen, but she’s not there. I go back outside and look around. I see the crowd of people, and they all seem to be having a good time. We had canopies set up around the yard to offer shade. The sun’s rays beat down, but there’s a cool breeze coming off the river.
Some teenagers are kicking a soccer ball around, but I notice they’re being careful to stay away from the crowd. I look back toward the house, but I still don’t see my wife.
Then I hear her voice. I turn around and see her talking to a group of people near the dessert table.
“Val,” she turns and smiles when she sees me. She motions me over.
“Chase, these people knew your dad. They wanted to thank you for starting up the cookouts again.”
I look around, and I recognize some of the people. “You knew my dad when he was just starting his business, right?”
“That’s right, you’re the youngest of his boys. Isn’t your name Chase?”
“Yes,” we continue talking to the group of older adults for quite a few minutes, then we excuse ourselves, and I take Val’s hand as we walk away.
“All those people knew your dad. I saw your mom talking to some of them. They were making plans to get together to play cards. Isn’t that nice?”
“That’s wonderful. Sounds like she’s reconnecting with some old friends.”
