Company (or whatever you do, don’t get locked in the outhouse)

The deck spilled over with people, an impromptu gathering of friends old and new for a picnic. Some that were invited hadn’t been able to make it. Others brought friends to introduce to us. Everybody came with food…burgers, salmon, a dozen salads, fruit, desserts. The children played in the lake and the dogs ranged between sets of knees, hoping for a handout. Rebekah closed the outhouse door too tightly, causing the hasp to fall, trapping her on the wrong side of the locked door. We were just starting to wonder where she had gotten to when we heard her musical voice calling from the distant side of the yard, “Hello? Hello? Anyone…?” We will laugh about that for years to come. Eventually the children changed into their pajamas and started to yawn. The dogs licked the last plate clean. The sun started to sink toward the northwest and we all realized it was nearly 10:30. Food was packed up, goodbyes said, hugs given, promises made, friends departed.