A Dozen Reasons

Chapter 6-Barbecue

"Ready, pumpkin?" My dad asked as he grabbed his jacket off the rail of the stairs.

"Yes, sir." I said grabbing my lip gloss out of my jean shoulder bag and quickly applying it to my lips.

"Well, madam, we best be on our way," my Dad said in a unsuccessful British accent

I erupted in laughter. "Whoa, Dad. Yeah...no." I said between laughs while shaking my head.

"What? I think it was pretty good!" He was grinning at me with his hands palm up in the air.

"Yeah, Dad, that was as good as you're chicken!" I giggled.

"Okay, okay. Let's go before they run out of burgers." He said opening the door for me.

We crossed the street, walking up to a brick house. It was pretty big, but the front porch was about the size of ours.

My Dad knocked on the door. I looked around while we waited, there were so many pretty flowers planted around the yard. There were violets planted around a small fountain, and around a bird bath.

The sound of the door opening pulled me from my admiration.

"Hello, welcome," Greg greeted us. He shook my dad's hand, and waved at me.

He opened the door, allowing us to enter. We followed him to the backyard.

There were a few other neighbors in the backyard. They were scattered about with lemonade in their hands, chatting to each other.

Greg's father, Jonathon, introduced us to them. I met the Dillon's, the Henson's, and the Spinsky's. They either had young children or their children were off at college.

I left my father in the group and found a bench. I sat down allowing the smell of barbecue chicken and ribs evade my senses. I felt someone sit next to me, I looked and it was Greg.

"You know, there's usually no one to talk to at these things." He said in a slight whisper.

"Really?" I really wasn't surprised, this neighborhood wasn't that interesting.

"Yeah, well, unless you want to talk to six year olds" He grinned.

His smile was so, so, I don't know, amazing. I smiled back. His eyes locked on mine. God, he had gorgeous eyes. He was studying my face. I looked away suddenly feeling conscious.

"So..." He cleared his throat.

"Yeah?" I whispered I really didn't trust my voice.

"So, how do you like this place so far?"

"It's completely different than my hometown, but it's not bad." I glanced at him and then looked away.

"Where's your hometown?"

"Small town in Florida."

"Oh."

We were quiet, it wasn't an awkward silence. I was watching the children play. I glanced at him, and saw he was watching them too.

"So, what about school?"

"Well, I-"

"Everyone, the food's ready. Just grab a plate at the end of the table," Greg's dad interrupted.

Greg stood up. "Come on." He smiled.

I followed him, and grabbed the plate. My mouth began to water when I saw the spread, corn on the cob, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, corn bread, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, ribs, gelatin salad, and cupcakes.

I placed some baked beans, macaroni salad, chicken, and corn bread on my plate. I was hungry. We hadn't eaten in 8 hours.

I sat down with my dad and the Spinsky's.