21. Twenty-One

Chase

Today, we’re having a cookout at my mom’s. We never found my dad’s smoker, so we ended up buying a new one. Now, we’re committed to having quarterly cookouts.

Carson and I will man the smoker this afternoon. We started roasting the meat very early this morning. We cheated and hired somebody to watch the smoker for most of the day. The word went out, and all of my family and the Wild Riders were invited to the event.

We’ve invited everyone we know. We had to get the tables out of storage and have them set up to hold all the food and covered dishes people would bring. We’re expecting quite a crowd.

I pick up Val from the duplex, and we head over to the cookout. When we pull up to the house, there are already numerous cars and motorcycles in the driveway and along the strip of land beside it. My parents’ house is situated on a huge piece of private property near the river. There is ample parking.

Val has a large container of potato salad. I explained that we provide the meat and the beer, so she didn’t need to bring a covered dish, but she insisted.

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.”

“Everyone seems to be having a good time. I’m so glad you and Carson started hosting these get-togethers again.”

I throw my arm around Val and pull her up close against my side. “All thanks to you, Val. This really was a great idea.”

“Family and friends are important.”

I turn her toward me and then lean in and give her a quick, hard kiss.

“I better get back to carving.”

As I make my way through the crowd, one of my cousins waves me over. A group of guys are sitting close to the kegs of beer.

“Hey, Chase. How’s married life?”

“It’s good, Jordan. How’s everything with you?”

“Great. But I miss having you as my wingman. Now that you’ve got an old lady, I guess I can’t count on you anymore.”

“You’re right about that. Who’s your new wingman?”

“My brother, but it’s not the same.”

“Sorry, Man.”

“So, what’s next? Kids?”

“Hell, no. No children. You know how I feel about kids. Being married is enough.”

“I agree. Who wants a bunch of rug rats running around?”

I nod, and my cousin slaps me on the back. I walk back to the smoker to take over my duties.

“Thanks, Sam.”

“No problem. It’s starting to slow down, anyway. I think most people have eaten.”

“Yeah,” I look over at Carson, “What do you think, Carson? Give up our posts?”

“Sure, let’s go mingle. I haven’t seen some of these people in years.”

Carson looks over at me. “Chase, this was a good idea. Thanks.”

I nod at Carson.

As Carson and I join the rest of the crowd, I keep a lookout for Val, but I don’t see her. I’m sure she’s around. I’m sure we’ll meet up again, sooner or later.

Finally, I see Val and wave her over.

“Hey everybody, this is my wife, Val.”

I smile because it feels good to show off my wife.

I look down at Val, as she seems kind of quiet.

“Hey, you okay?”

“Yes, sorry. Just thinking about my family.”

“Damn, don’t let thoughts of them ruin your day.”

“Not my aunt and uncle. I was thinking about my parents.”

“Oh. You don’t talk about them that much.”

“I know. Most memories fade with time— but then others, you remember so clearly.”

I look out over the people milling around my mom’s backyard.

“Yeah, being here today, I keep remembering how much my dad valued this. We need to continue this tradition.”