Molly held out the plastic bag from her purse for Meabh and Finn to put the piece of paper and the three of them stood up.
“I like it, it’s fun.” Molly tucked the bag, and the empty tube back into her purse.
“And competitive.” Meabh patted Finn’s shoulder with a knowing smile. “You were never one to turn down a challenge.”
“Exactly. I’ll get you back for that one, MoMo. But…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Even I have to give you props for it. Not bad.”
She huffed out a grunt and threw him an eye roll. “Not bad my ass.”
“We should get going.” Mom clapped her hands together. “We have a graduation feast to prepare.”
***
As a family, they’d decided on a low-key afternoon bbq at home with only a few additional guests. The hockey team had plans to celebrate together, and there’d be a fancier wider-family to-do in the near future, but Finn had begged Dad to make his state-fair-award-winning brisket on the day of his graduation.
It took days of preparation and cooking, so it wasn’t something he did often, but he was only too happy to make it for their special day. A garden bbq to celebrate was definitely Finn’s kind of vibe.
Will would have happily stepped off the stage, added his diploma to the pile of accolades on his shelf, and forgotten about it in favor of working on the next thing, but Molly always made him celebrate every milestone. Always. Even if it was just a cupcake, or a movie together.
What was life without celebration? She shuddered.
They were all hanging out in her parent’s kitchen. Meabh washed vegetables in the sink while Mom flitted about with a notepad and pen, a kitchen towel draped over her shoulder and an apron tied around her waist.
“Are any of the team stopping by?”
Like she didn’t already know. The first time Dad made his brisket for the Fourth of July weekend, word had spread through the locker room like a wildfire. Every player on the team turned up hungry and ate them out of house and home.
Will frowned. “You said it was okay, right? Dad made enough brisket to feed the neighborhood.”
“And if anyone catches a whiff of it they’ll be lining up at the door with empty plates in hand.” Finn rubbed his stomach.
“Of course it’s okay, I’m just checking. I don’t want to make a ton of food and have it all go to waste.” Mom scribbled something on her notebook and everyone chortled or guffawed.
“Right. Like we’d let any of your cooking go to waste, Mrs. M.” Finn pulled out his phone. “But since you’re afraid our little family soiree will become something more, I’ll double check who planned to gatecrash.”
Mom nodded, her cheeks already pink. “Thanks, Finn.”
Will lifted his head from his phone. “Linc and Russ will both be here.”
Finn checked his screen. “I think that’s it.”
“ChoCho is coming!” Molly grabbed a glass and filled it from the water dispenser on the front of the fridge.
After a beat, Will waved his phone. “Austin’s in.”
Mom’s lips twitched. “I like that we’re keeping it small.” Her eyes met Molly’s and Molly giggled.
“I’m pretty sure you knew this was going to happen. It’s why Dad is making so much brisket.” Molly shrugged.
“Hashtag facts, Mrs. M.” Finn crossed the kitchen to kiss her on the cheek. “Just imagine, next year it’ll be a yard full of NHL players.”
Mom paled, Meabh squeaked, and Dad cracked open a beer and handed it to Finn who arched an eyebrow. “You’re a graduate now, day drinking isn’t as frowned upon.”
Mom tutted. “What he means is, this is a celebration, don’t make a habit of it.”
“Yes ma’am.” Finn raised his bottle to her and took a long pull.
Dad cracked another beer, and clinked it against Finn’s. “Congratulations, son. You did yourself proud. You did all of us proud.”
