Like Father Like Son

Celebration

Today was my day. Friends and family were coming over to celebrate my graduation. I forgot all my worries as I got ready in the morning. Wanting to look nice, I looked over my options in my closet.

I settled for a white dress shirt, black dress pants, and my black sneakers. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out my necklace to put on.
"Not losing you again" I whispered to myself. I put on a black beanie before leaving my room and heading downstairs to help dad set up. I found him in our front yard, tying balloons to the mailbox.
"Really dad? Does the whole neighborhood need to know?" I asked.
"That I'm proud of my son? Yes" he said. He walked back towards the house and followed me into the backyard. I pulled some extra chairs out of our shed while he put up some decorations. Some balloons next the house, streamers on the fence, I felt it was all too much.

I got the chairs set up and went to see what dad was doing.
"Need help with anything else?" I asked as I watched him start the grill.
"No, just relax until the guests come" he said. Once he grill was lighted he went into the kitchen. I didn't want to sit around waiting so I went to find something to do.

I walked over to our fire pit and started cleaning it out. We haven't used it for a while, but we still had firewood by the shed.
"Parker!" Dad got my attention before I could grab any wood.
"Yeah dad?" I asked as I turned towards the house. He was leaning out of the doorway to the house.
"I have to pick grandma, grandpa, and granny from the airport. Can you watch the grill?" He asked.
"No problem" I said. He gave me a thumbs up and left.

I forgot about the fire pit for now and walked over to the grill. Dad was going all out today, grilling burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and steak tips.
"Enough food dad?" I mumbled to myself.
"Anyone here?" I heard a voice by the gate and immediately recognized it as Barry.
"Back here!" I called out. Barry and his family entered our backyard so I greeted everyone.
"Thank god you're here first Barry, dad left me with the grill" I said.
"Let me see" he said. I lead him to the grill and let him take over before I burned anything. 

I talked to Barry's wife Lori was their daughter Stella watched her dad. It wasn't long before Eric and his wife Kellie showed up.
"What's up guys?" Eric asked as they entered the yard.
"Hey guys. Thanks for coming" I said with a smile.
"Nice to see you wearing that necklace again. Where's your dad?" Eric asked.
"Picking up the family. They should be here soon" I explained. Kellie sat down with us while Eric went to see what Barry was up to.
"Is Zach showing up?" Barry asked. 
"He should be here soon too" I said as I stood up and walked towards them. 

I leaned against the side of the house and chatted with Eric while watching Barry work his magic on the grill with Stella. I felt bad making him take over grill duty as he was our guest, but they were having a good time. 
"The Myers are here" Kellie called out. I looked over and saw Zach and his family walk through the gate. Oliver and Avery ran into the yard giggling as Bethany joined Lori and Kellie. 
"Be good you two" Zach called out as he followed his boys towards the shed.
"Hey Zach, I think I have some old toys in there they can play with" I said. I walked over to the shed and pulled out a soccer ball, football, and an old ring toss game from when I was little. 
"Thanks, this should keep them busy" Zach said. I may not always get along with Zach, but I try being nice to the boys.

Stella joined Oliver and Avery in kicking the soccer ball around as I hung out with the adults around the fire pit. 
"Hey Parker, are we lighting this up when it gets dark?" Eric asked.
"If you stay long enough, sure" I said with a shrug. 
"We're back" I heard dad's voice and turned towards the gate. As soon as I saw my granny I ran to her and gave her a big hug. 
"How are you Parker?" She asked with a big smile.
"Better now that you're here" I grinned at her and turned towards my grandparents. "I missed you two as well" I hugged them both before giving them a chance to settle in.  
"Mom, dad, you remember the others" Dad said as he gestured towards everyone in the yard. They nodded and went over to say hello, Granny following close behind. "Parker" Dad said, making me turn towards him. 
"Yeah dad?" I asked. 
"Why is Barry at the grill" He asked, giving me a stern look. 
"Cause he wants to help" I said with a smile. Dad just rolled his eyes and went over to say hello.