Chapter 26 - THE SECOND BARBECUE
Two years after the lemonade incident, Elaine hosted another backyard barbecue.
I almost did not go.
Ava asked.
She was seventeen.
Elise was invited.
So was Daniel.
That alone sounded like a terrible idea.
Therapists approved because boundaries were clear and everyone had escape plans.
Very American family progress:
Potato salad plus emotional safety protocol.
I arrived carrying lemonade.
Ava saw the pitcher.
Started laughing.
“Seriously?”
“I considered iced tea.”
“Coward.”
Daniel stood near the grill.
He and I nodded.
Nothing more.
Elise sat beside Elaine.
Their conversation looked awkward.
Good.
Real.
I walked onto the deck.
Ava came toward me.
We both moved around the same patio chair.
Her elbow bumped the pitcher.
Lemonade sloshed.
We froze.
Then she said:
“Don’t ever touch me again.”
For half a second my heart stopped.
Then she grinned.
I stared.
“You are a terrible person.”
She laughed.
Daniel looked over.
He did not intervene.
He asked:
“Everything okay?”
Ava answered:
“Yeah.”
One word.
May you like
That was growth too.
Curiosity before judgment.
