what was i made for, walker

015. barn burner

Janie, August, and Liam are helping Abilene make the chili for the chili cook-off at the festival.

"Hey, don't we have enough?" August asks.

"Uh oh. Here we go." Liam mutters.

"I'll let you know when there's enough." Abilene says. "Less talking, more chopping."

"Come on, Mawline. We do this chili contest, like, every year." August says.

"Yeah, mom, you've never been this tense." Liam says.

"Okay, well, this year is different. The winner gets their chili on the menu, so it's a whole different ball game." Abilene says.

"Oh, yeah. This is the first time we're using gran's original recipe, right?" Liam asks. "Huh?"

"Uh-huh." Abilene nods.

"Well, let's get to it." Liam says.

"You know, I heard there was a, uh, a $10,000 prize. Maybe we can, like, split it 4 ways. Since we're helping you out here." August says.

"Agreed." Janie points to her brother, their grandmother laughing.

"Nice try. But if we win--"

"Uh, when, when you win." Cordell cuts his mother off as he walks into the kitchen. "Thank you." He takes a pepper and bites into it.

"Okay, well, when we win, it'll just be a thrill to see mama's recipe on the menu." Abilene says as Janie walks back over to her.

"Oh, we can just put it on there. We own it, right?" August says.

"Oh, it is much more savory if it's earned, kiddo." Abilene says. August walks back over to them, standing between Janie and Liam.

"Right, okay. Uh, Trey's grabbing the brisket." Cordell informs.

"Oh, good, cause I can't really do anything without it." Abilene says.

"Yeah, I know, I know, I know." Cordell says. He looks over at the stove, seeing a small fire because of the towel on the stove. "Hey, hey, hey! Hey!" He takes the towel off, shaking it out.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." August says.

"What's wrong with you? You trying to burn the damn house down?" Cordell yells at him.

"It was just an honest mistake." August says.

"You got to be more careful." Cordell tells his son.

"Dad, it was an accident." Janie defends her brother.

"Cordell. It's fine." Abilene says. August scratches the back of his head, walking back to his spot between Janie and Liam. Cordell storms out, his parents sharing a look.

"You good?" Janie quietly asks her brother.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine, it's nothing." He mutters, continuing to chop more vegetables.

+++

"Now we hurry up and wait." Abilene says, keeping the pot on the stove.

"Do I have time to finish my legal brief?" Liam asks.

"Can you do it in 6 hours?" Abilene asks.

"I don't know. Our new district attorney demands thoroughness." Liam says, slight venom in his tone.

"You two are like bathtubs and toasters." Abilene says.

"What?" Liam asks, sharing a confused look with Janie.

"You don't mix." Abilene says.

"Oh." Liam nods in understanding.

"That's a new one." Janie mutters.