Danilo
The table was loud.
That was the first thing. The second was the smell.
Smoke and butter and too much meat. Brisket, ribs, three different steaks, sausage links, and Pa's cowboy beans that could feed a whole town. Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cornbread, green bean casserole, and a salad that was just sitting there judging all of us.
Beers lined the center of the table. Sweating. Cold. Except in front of Kolli. He had sparkling water, and every time he took a sip his hand drifted to his stomach. Like he was checking. Like he still couldn't believe it either.
Bunky was in his booster seat working like he had a job to do. Mac and cheese was everywhere. On his cheeks, in his hair, down the front of his dinosaur shirt. He was four and he ate like a Pereira. Like the world might run out of food tomorrow. It was the cutest damn thing I'd ever seen.
