Colton flipped a steak over to a searing sizzle on the open flame. He took a deep breath and smiled. “There is nothing better than the smell of beef steak on the grill on a warm June night.”
“What’d ja say?” Jude turned back to Colton.
“Just remarking about the smell of grilled meat.” Colton smiled as he flipped over another steak. “You seem to be somewhere else tonight.”
“Sorry, Colton.” Jude smiled. “I got to lookin’ at something and fergot what I was a doin’.”
“You feeling alright, Jude?”
“Fine, jes fine.” Jude nodded his head, picking up a small knife and cutting into one of the steaks. “The well done’s is jest about well done.”
“I thought so. Let’s put them up here on this rack. That’ll keep ‘em hot without cooking them too much more.”
“Well, ain’t that just fancy.” Jude grinned.
“What’s on your mind, Jude?”
“Nothin’. Just noticin’ things.” He said. “Ya ever do that, just cetch a glimpse of somethin’ and keep lettin’ it roll over an over in yer head?”
Colton nodded. “Like?”
“Well…” Jude hesitated a moment and dropped his voice, making it clear this was just between them. “You ever notice how much yer boys and Ian look alike? They’s built almost like brothers.”
Colton leaned up straight and looked across the patio at his sons and Ian chatting with Billy. “You know, you’re right. I never really noticed.”
“’Specially from the back. They all got those broad shoulders and tiny little waists, course they all work out ever day.”
“They say if you hang around with a person long enough you start to look alike.” Colton turned his attention back to the flames. “So, my friend, how are you holding up?”
“Holdin’ up?” Jude asked with a wry grin.
“How are you feeling?” Colton smiled back, waving the flames back with a greasy spatula. “I know you don’t like to talk about your treatment, but you know you can always talk to Tippy and I.”
Jude nodded his head. “Thank ye kindly. I’m doin’ good. I wear out sa damn quick, but that could be old age as much as all the new drugs an’ such.”
“You and Ian are so much alike.”
“I take that as a compliment.” Jude forked the last well done to its spot on the rack.
“Jude, in most cases it would be, but in this case…” Colton sighed. “I am not complaining, mind you but it’s so frustrating to those of us who have come to care about the two of you that you never complain.”
“Well, Colton, complainin’ don’t do much but heat up the air, an it’s hot enough hear in California.”
Colton chuckled. “But it makes it difficult to know how we can help you if you don’t tell is what you need.”
Jude smiled. “I got ever thing I need Colt, fer once in m’life ever thing I need.”
Colton followed Jude’s eyes watching Ian kissing Ronnie on the forehead, both of them smiling ear to ear. Ian patted the boy on the behind as he ran off with three other squealing children into the house.
He reached for his cane and wandered out to the lip of the pool. Unaware there were eyes watching him, Ian stood and stared. Mesmerized by what was pounding in his head he allowed himself to pull into it and forget the world existed.
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