SUNDAY AFTERNOON - LINDA + TOM'S HOUSE, THE WOODLANDS
The backyard was loud in the best way.
Paper plates, red solo cups, and the smell of Linda’s famous BBQ chicken.
Tom was manning the grill in an apron that said KING OF THE GRILL and was telling the same story about his fishing trip for the third time.
"AND THEN THE FISH JUMPED RIGHT INTO THE BOAT!"
A group of distant cousins groaned and laughed.
Irene was inside setting out pasta salad and laughing with Linda over wine.
Dad was on the porch, phone to his ear.
Sì, fratello. Siamo a casa di Linda. Prendiamo il volo per l'Italia alle 19:00.
[Yeah, brother. We’re at Linda’s. We’re taking the 7pm flight to Italy.]
Aurora sat at the picnic table picking at potato salad while Luca stole a roll off her plate.
"You ready?"
