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“Wow,” Alex says, tongue rolled out all the way to the floor

“Alex, close your face,” I say “Ray in for a hug, but she veers over to Millie instead, throwing an annoyed “Excuseto2

She hugs Ed next and the contact turns hiht red statue, his arlare but doesn’t say anything We both know rown-ass men,” Rayme says “If they can’t handle a skirt, they shouldn’t be out in public”

In response, Alex throws his arives her the Latin-lover dimpled smile Rayme approaches with understandable caution

“Where the hell is Mom?” I ask She would have my back here

Millie twists, glancing out the kitchenoverlooking the expansive backyard “Talking to your dad and Chris She went out for a few to, she adds, “I think they were s hippies

“Like hookah?” Ed coh, and he goes still again under her attention

Everyone from outside comes in, and indeed the cool air that blows in carries the war a break in their conversation, Dad and Chris each grab a beer, walk toward the dining roolance Rayme pouts, and Millie catches my eye I try to think back on o, but I swear even when she was nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, I didn’t see Rayo on dates Just like I’ll always be twenty inhorse that hasn’t grown into her limbs yet

She follows Dad and Chris, Alex and Ed follow Rayet dinner onto the table I try to help, but they eventually shoobites of food isn’t helpful

My parents have an enor rooer than it is wide, has an expansiveoverlooking the rolling hills of our family vineyard, and is easily the most spectacular view in the house, other than the one froher up Tonight, Moarland of flowers snaking around and between simple white candles Ed sits down in front of his full place setting like he’s at the White House: eyes wide, hands unsure where to land

“Ed,” Millie says, noticing it, too “What’s with you? It’s like you’ve never seen flatware before”

Ed picks up a salad fork “Growing up, we felt fancy if we put the plates on the TV trays”

Thankfully, Moasp Instead, she says, “We’re just here celebrating Reid’s birthday this weekend, nothing too fancy for us Ja our eyes to Dad, who looks at her like she’s suggested he stand up and break-dance for us “Sure Uh, happy birthday, Reid Thirty-one isa good age”

“He’s turning thirty-two,” Millie says with a grin

Dad lifts his wineglass to her in thanks “Also a good age Andlet’s hope for en levels back up this spring, eh?” With that, Dad reaches for the platter of ribs

“There’s your birthday wish,”tilt of her head

To be fair, ifted orator He doesapp thing,”app? What? I definitely need to hear this”

“It’s not that Grind Up I read about, is it?” Moo wide as I look at theay men So, no And which of my dear friends here told you about any of this so I may properly thank theazes to Ed, and I’d punch hi a butter knife

“What?” he says, mouth already full He ss around a bite, and at least has the decency to look re anyone”—he aims a smile in Ray I didn’t know our Find a Date for Commencement plan was a secret”