The hamburgers, sausage, and hot dogs were on the grill, and the potato salad, baked beans, and salads were on the picnic table when we walked into Larry’s backyard that Tuesday afternoon. Jeannie, working the grill, was the first to spot us, dropping the spatula and rushing over to greet us. Barb was sitting at the table, holding “little Johnnie” in her lap. Lori, also seated, was watching her daughter set the table.
After three hugs and kisses, we settled down for smokes and cold beer. Sitting next to Lori, Mike asked disbelievingly, “What are you doing here?”
“Jeannie called and invited me,” she answered. “Was that alright?”
“Sure,” he said, looking across the table at Jeannie, and mouthing, “Thank you.”
“Okay, you guys,” Larry announced at the grill. “Come and get it.”
Jeannie tur
