Outside, the sun shines bright on an unusually warm winter afternoon, while music blares through the stereo speakers. Smoke bellows from the barbeque, as ribs, chicken legs, and burgers sizzle on the hot grill. Friends and family members congregate and participate in happy conversations, with each person holding their beverage of choice in their hand, taking sips and gulps in between sentences. A young boy picks up a slimy, yellow chew toy and throws it as far across the backyard as he can; a chocolate Labrador races after it. Both appear to be wearing smiles, stretching from ear to ear.
Inside, the kitchen counter is packed with plates and bowls containing delicious food, not an inch of table space remains. People line up to scoop huge mounds of potato salad, coleslaw, and beans onto their already overflowing, flimsy paper plates, grabbing handfuls of chips and Cheetos as they move slowly through the line. The overwhelming aroma of freshly baked cornbread spreads throughout the house and into the nostrils of the many people inside. In the backroom, six individuals circle around a table playing cards, with serious looks on their faces. In the living room, people squeeze together onto the two couches, while others lay on the floor. All of them have their eyes fixated on the television, apparently caught up in an intense action movie.
At the end of the evening, people hug and say their goodbyes. When the last car drives away, the house is remarkably quiet. All that remains are piles of dirty dishes and empty cans of beer and soda, reminders of the happy moments that occurred earlier in the afternoon. The inhabitants of the house spend about an hour cleaning up, returning the rooms to their original form. The barbeque was a memorable experience, making it a success. Being surrounded by good friends and family, while swapping stories and drinking throughout the day is one of the best ways to spend a weekend afternoon. Without a doubt, there will be more as long as the weather permits.
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