The day I'd invited Jessie and Bob out, I also called Doug. I suspected we were in for a big barbeque. More than I was willing to cook.
He was booked Sunday and Monday, but had Saturday available. He just needed to know how many to feed.
"Ahh, I'm not sure just yet. How much lead time do you need?
"Wednesday is as late as I can wait, and Murph, that's a push."
"Gotcha. I'll get back as quick as I can. Thanks Doug, I appreciate this."
I called him back Tuesday night, "Man, I don't believe the number I came up with."
He laughed, "Talk to me..."
"Ok, here goes; there's me and the girls, and our two kids of course. Then there are their parents. That puts it at eight. Then my kids are flying in. That makes it ten. I invited Shelly. Eleven. The Jepsons. Thirteen. Now comes the fun. I invited Brady's crew, and their families; so that's ten more, and I don't know how many kids."
"That's doable. Tight, but doable,"
"Yeah, but..."
"But? What's left?"
"I also invited Johansen's crew."
"Jesus! That's what? Eight, nine more? Plus wives and kids?"
"Yeah. Can you do this?"
"Let's see, twenty five or so adults, an unknown number of kids. Forget ribs. This'll be burgers and dogs. You guys supply potato salad and slaw. Watermelon, and anything else you want, I'll do the cooking."
***
I sent Madge to Costco on Friday. She came back with ten pounds of slaw, twenty five of potato salad, half a dozen watermelons and a ton of paper plates and other stuff. I don't even know how much pop and beer came back with her. All I know is that damn van was packed.
***
A lot of Saturday is a blur. Doug arrived about nine; his cooker in tow, the meat locker on his pickup loaded. We set him up, started putting up tables, and such. Guests began showing up around ten thirty; Jeannie's folks, Nancy right behind them, after that, it was just a rush. The area over by the barn was packed with cars. Kids were running all over. Adults were standing around, yakking and drinking beer. I remember Shelly, Carl and Marie being there, but I don't know when they arrived.
One o'clock we started serving burgers and all. Damned if the Sheriff's deputies didn't show up. Right on time. Those guys couldn't smell a bale of weed if they were laying on it, but can smell a cook-out across the county. "Willis! Pierce! You guys are right on time. How do you manage that?"
"Murph...you hurt me. We just happened to be patrolling by here, saw the crowd. Thought we should make sure everything was alright."
I just laughed, pointed toward Doug. He waved a thumbs up. Had two made up by the time Willis got to him. THEN he made one for Pierce. Doug seems to be prepared for those guys. (Maybe they tap into his computer for his schedule)
There were kids and adults in and out of the new pool all afternoon. Johansen's bunch was bragging about the great job they did. Brady's crew pointing out how much better theirs was. Everybody laughing. I remember Nancy, Ron and Mary looking shell-shocked at the crowd. But it didn't seem to faze their eating any. Jeannie, Madge and I kept circulating; making sure everyone was taken care of. All the while keeping an eye on kids in the pool.
Somewhere around five, the crowd began to thin, by six most had gone. They all picked up after themselves. We had almost no mess in the yard. Ron and Mary thanked us for a good time, headed down the hill. Nancy asked if she could go down to the lake, do a little meditation. Madge went with her. When they came back an hour later, both looked calm.
Marie and Carl were among the last to go. They'd had a great time, and with his scooter, Carl didn't get tired. Shelly clamped on to me, dragged me behind the barn. She didn't say anything, just laid a kiss on me. I'm thinking she took lessons from Jeannie, 'cause my toes curled. She just smiled at me, walking to her car. I guess I stood there with my mouth open, because Jeannie came over, "Husband mine, you better be careful. You might have three of us to keep happy."
***
Jeannie worked on Monday (she'd swapped for Saturday). Madge took Clark and the dogs into town for the parade and barbeque. I followed in the Spitfire, JD beside me. Jessie brought Naomi's Mustang for one more show, Bob rode with her. The boys looked over the cars; JD was impressed by Swede's Camaro. Clark was bouncing between Shelly's MG and Charly's E-type. I began to think about another car. Maybe something a bit fancy to take the girls out in.
On the way home, it was Clarks turn in the passenger seat. Did that kid ever have a smile on his face. All the way home. I've got him hooked on roadsters!
