Train Wreck

forty four

Alice POV

"Thanks, Jesse!"  I smiled at the sound of my glass being refilled by a pitcher of strawberry lime margarita that he brought around the table as I finished bringing out my plate full of food. Remington and I insisted everyone else get their food first but of course Jesse had to be our assistant as bartender and continue keeping drinks full.

Leah, Doc Eddie, Rebecca, and I discussed the best way to handle our meal and agreed we could keep the food inside thanks to how many of us were around and let the teens and Trent sit on the deck steps to eat. We had enough chairs for the adults so after a bit of rearranging the table had space for a pitcher of water and condiments with little else.

He winked at me before continuing around the table, filling glasses as requested while I watched Rebecca get Trent settled on the steps. She left a few extra napkins under a rock before double checking that Trisha also had everything she needed. We decided to put Peach in her crate while we had dinner to keep her from eating everything on our plates. She wasn't thrilled but Kenny agreed that was the right call, even if it meant Trent sadly stood petting her through the crate door for a few moments after she was contained.

Benji groaned and took a seat on one of the Adirondack chairs, letting out a sigh.  I looked out at him from the deck and moved closer when I saw how his eyes lingered on the boot. "You okay, Beep?"

He shrugged, stretching out his broken leg slowly, "I think I overdid it today."

"You were on your feet a long time helping me with the cupcakes," Daisy said with a twinge of concern in her voice as she approached his chair. I debated going continuing to move closer but decided instead to stay where I was and just observe their interaction now that Trisha was nearby.  We set out the two Adirondack chairs for Daisy and Benji but Trisha snagged one instantly.  Always the gracious one, Daisy smiled and grabbed a beach towel then spread it on the ground by their chairs, making no fuss and causing no scene even though Trisha acted like she was seated on a damn throne.

"Yeah, but I was sitting down most of that time. I think it's because we have rain coming through tomorrow." Benji massaged at the top of his boot a moment before looking up and meeting my eyes. "Hey.  Go eat your food, Lissy!"

I broke into a bright smile and waved, "I will, I will.  You need anything, Benji?"

"Nah, you guys did such a great job preparing everything so I think we're good. Thank you for all the work you did. The kebabs look amazing, Mrs. Morris, and Leah... the baked beans?" His head kicked back while Benji licked his lips and let out an exaggerated moan.

Leah chuckled but it was Kenny that broke into a rumble of laughter at his theatrics. "Son, we need to teach you how to make smoked meats. Get you a basic smoker then I can teach you my ways." I saw Kenny's eyebrows waggle as he spoke and noticed even Trent paying attention closely to his words.

"I need to be in attendance, Kenny. Do they sell those smokers at the local hardware store?" Greg spoke up after taking his first bite, "I have always been curious about that and with all the time spent at home by us these days, it's the perfect time to learn."

Taylor and Rebecca looked at one another and shared a warm smile.  I noticed they had an unspoken communication like Remi and I did.  They turned toward Kenny and agreed, Rebecca speaking up first, "Would you mind teaching us as well? I don't mind paying for the meat or whatever supplies are needed, even."

I chuckled and looked to my right as Remington scooted closer, his hand grasping mind tightly a moment before he cleared his throat. "I have an idea. Why don't we get our own smokers and Kenny can teach us at my house. That way Dad can learn at his own place, and we can just keep it centralized." He nudged Taylor before continuing, "Taylor, you're just next door and your backyard is right there so you could always just bring your smoker over to our place or just take notes and keep it at yours."