The weather was beautiful, with sunlight falling across the wooden deck and the smell of smoked ribs filling the warm summer air.
For the first thirty minutes, everything had seemed almost normal, although Derek immediately began making comments about Ryan carrying my serving dishes.
“Look at him, trained like a good little husband,” Derek had announced.
Ryan ignored him because he knew that arguing with his older brother usually made family gatherings unbearable.
I squeezed Ryan’s hand beneath the table, silently reminding him that we could leave whenever he wanted.
Derek noticed the gesture and laughed even louder.
“See, Mom, she even controls when he’s allowed to get upset.”
Diane waved her hand dismissively and told us that Derek had always been the comedian of the family.
Marissa, Ryan’s younger sister, looked uncomfortable but said nothing as she carried plates toward the patio door.
I noticed that she kept glancing at Derek whenever his voice became louder.
