For supper there was steak and some vegetables. A lone fruit bowl lied at the center of the table, but nobody took a bite out of it. Enrique, Ben, and Jeff were also eating with you and your uncle, who considers it a part of their paycheck. The steak was actually amazing and juicy and tender. Your uncle and his employees talk about ranching and what they’re all doing back at their homes. Enrique talks about his girl troubles, Ben talks about a new house he’s buying, and Jeff talks about his older sister’s new baby girl. For the most part, however, you don’t care, and continue eating without saying a word. Eventually, your uncle becomes curious about you, and beings asking you questions.
“So, how’s my youngest sister, boy?” Norman asks, abruptly changing the subject from Ben’s living room to your personal life.
“She’s alright. Working a lot.” you reply, still trying to act invisible.
“She still works at that airport?” your uncle says. This annoys you for you aren’t looking forward to getting a conversation.
“Yep. Almost every day of the week. It’s almost a miracle that she had enough time to drive me down here.”
“Drive? You live in Michigan, why didn’t ya’ll take a plane, boy?”
“We did. It was a rental car.”
“I see. Damn, it’s been a long while since I was up in one of them airplanes… But anyway, did you enjoy your act of gratitude?” Your uncle asks.
“Act of gratitude?” you ask, puzzled.
“Yeah, that big pile of horse poo.” With that, Norman and his employees laugh. “Do you like em horses, boy?”
“They’re alright.”
“Well, you must’ve cared bout em a lot if you cleaned up some of there shit.” Norman said, laughing a little still.
“Whatever I can do to help.” You say reluctantly.
“Well, you mind if you help me and horses out again?” Norman said, this time in a serious tone. Enrique just looked at Norman, and seemed a little nervous.
“I suppose not.” You say, feeling a little uneasy. With that, your uncle dawns his trademark family smile.
“Well good, you’re what - almost seventeen? That’s old enough for me, here have a beer!” Now your uncle’s talking you language. The rest of the men laugh and your uncle goes and gets a bottle and opens it for you. You take some swigs and enjoy the taste. This definitely wasn’t your first beer, but it was the best tasting. Unbeknownst to you, however, your uncle poured some liquid into it before he gave it to you.
Afterwards, Enrique, Ben, and Jeff went home, and Norman went to his room. After a while with nothing to do, you also retreated to your room.