Phillip was concentrating on nursing the growing fire. "Yeah," he said, "a while. I was waiting for you. I sent the letter ago." He shrugged. "I didn't know how long it would take, so I may have over-prepared."
The fire crackled brightly and the flames now licked the grate. Satisfied, Phillip rose to his feet and moved to the cooler again. "Hot dogs OK?"
Since tubes of mystery meat were one of her favorite food groups, Amanda readily agreed, but just as she did at home, she promised herself to eat better in future.
He glanced at her and grinned. "Good. Mustard, ketchup?"
Again she nodded.
Soon they were eating grilled hot dogs in silence, the smoke from the fire permeating everything.
Amanda swallowed a bite of meat, bun, and the mustard-ketchup mixture. She broke the silence first.
