Today was different. While the whole Morris family was busy, sub-hosts to the big party, each one also took a turn in a designated lawn chair, carefully positioned in the shade near the main house. Resting in the next chair was the queen of the day, Marleen Morris. Since coming home, this was Mel’s first time to see her mother back in ranch country, at a neighbor’s house that was almost an extension of the Morris Ranch headquarters. For a time, it felt like the matriarch had come home.
“You have all you need, Mama?” Mel asked, giving her mother’s hand a squeeze where it rested on the arm of her lawn chair.
“Why Lordie, yes. Always did love these big shindigs, but that music sure sounds kinda funny. I prefer Bob Wills, you know.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do, but we couldn’t get him. It’s some of t
