The start of the season

 

It might as well have been the first grilling of the season at Cam's. Gabe was glad to see everyone. He felt there was a lot of catching up to do with everyone. Especially, his brother Pan, who was still with Wade, but there were some troubles which neither would speak of, and neither did he.

It was Mother's Day, and their Mom was still with Cam. They had brought her flowers, and of course, the biggest gift of all was Kia showing how, at six months, he was strong enough to crawl. Yeah, he was a busybody, and Gabe knew he'd figure out how to climb soon enough.

It was supposed to be brunch, but no way would that happen with so many who had to have barbecue. So the waffles with strawberries ended up being a happy ending for a few of them, but Gabe was too full of deviled eggs and ribs.

For the first time, there was no alcohol, and Gabe was OK with that. Everyone knew Pan shouldn't drink. And Gabe sensed something was troubling Pan, who was giving everyone the silent treatment. Although he did pull out this phone a time or two to show off last year's trip to Montana, where they got to actually herd some cattle out on a Cowboy Camp. Lots of Chuck Wagon foodie pics, too. Evidently, Cam's ribs couldn't compare, but Gabe always enjoyed whatever Cam cooked.

Naturally, Rico showed up alone. Mona was spending Mother's Day with her mother. He assured everyone that everything was perfectly fine. Too perfect, in fact, or at least from Gabe's perspective. He knew everything was perfect as long as Rico did what he was told. Gabe was tired of feeling sorry for Rico. Evidently, he was a fool in love and always would be with Mona. Gabe wanted to tell him he was an idiot, but knew it wouldn't do much good.

Near the end, Sammie found him. She gave him the baby to hold. He took to him like he was a Daddy's boy. 

"Evidently, you were nice to everyone, weren't you?" She grinned.

"I was." He looked at her as if he were more of a kid than Kia ever would be.

"Good," she nodded. "I thought you would be." She got out her phone to take a picture of Gabe and Pan with their mother. Then Wade took a photo with Sammie's phone camera of Sammie included with the family. Afterwards, Rico called his dad over to be in a family photo, including Wade, as well. 

Little did Gabe know that there would be plenty of photos taken of the extended family, but Kia had had enough long before too many more could get in the picture. It was time to go home.