“I’m doing all right. I’m finishing my master’s degree in electrical engineering in a few months.”
“That’s fantastic. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. And what have you been up to?”
“I’m still living the dream at Haggarty Insurance Corporation as an actuary.”
“Fancy.” Rory grinned.
“Oh yeah, so exciting.” They both laughed.
Rory vanished when he started grad school six years ago. He didn’t have time to spend with his friends. Bernard didn’t blame Rory for the distance. He suspected Rory’s mother had something to do with it.
They hauled the supplies to the backyard where a few people had gathered. Bernard recognized his brother, Emilio, Aunt Antonia, and her son, Carlos.
“Dad. Where do you want this?” Bernard grunted.
His dad stood at the grill, cigarette in his mouth and beer in hand. The man always had a beer and cigarette nearby in his waking hours. Bernard and Emilio told him to stop drinking and smoking so much, but he refused.
The aroma of burgers and hotdogs wafted outward. Bernard’s mouth watered; he loved his dad’s cooking.
“Just put them on the porch. There are a few coolers inside. Can you fill them with ice and soda?”
“No problem.”
“Oh, and there’s beer in the fridge. If you can put them in a cooler by themselves with ice, that’d be great. Thanks, son.”
Bernard and Rory filled the cooler, and Bernard took a soda. Rory grabbed a beer, and they made their way to the grill.
“These look fantastic, João,” Rory said.
“Thanks. The secret is in the spice.” He smiled.
“Which you’ve never taught us,” Bernard said.
“If I taught you, it wouldn’t be a secret.” His dad looked up at him and winked. He stood five feet tall. Bernard got his height from his mother’s side. His great-grandfather had been six feet tall.
“Fair enough,” Bernard conceded.
“I’m going to check on the pies,” Rory said.
“All right, we’ll talk later,” Bernard said.
A dozen people milled about the yard. All the guests had a drink and someone to talk to. Bernard gave Antonia and Carlos hugs and said hi. Carlos was talking with a few people Bernard didn’t recognize. Antonia discussed Avon or Mary Kay with a few women, so he left them to it.
Bernard walked up to his brother.
“Hey, Emilio.”
“Hey, Bernard. How is everything?” Emilio hugged him.
“Taking it one day at a time.”
Emilio was the polar opposite of Bernard. Emilio was two years younger and had inherited their father’s appearance. He was four inches shorter than Bernard, lean and muscular, with jet-black hair, piercing blue eyes, and suntanned olive skin. Bernard’s skin was a pale olive from years of being indoors. Emilio possessed a sense of confidence Bernard lacked. Their father’s confidence. Bernard gained their mother’s insecurities.
“So, how are you doing, really?” Emilio asked.
“I’m doing okay, I promise. I’ve stopped drinking, I’m taking my medication. I have a great job, and a fantastic friend who keeps me on the straight and narrow.”
