32.

BRYNN.

I walk out of my room and take the center stairs back to the ground floor. My eyes quickly scan the area around the living room and when I don’t see them, I go through the back door to the only place I know I’d find them.

As I step onto the grass and get closer to the grill space, I hear the sound of Mom’s familiar laugh whenever she’s with Dad before I even see their faces and I quicken my steps, gripping onto the sides of my skirt.

Sure enough, they are there, changed out of their party clothes and Dad is behind the cemented counter, placing the tray of grilled food down before removing his gloves while Mom is seated on the chair in the middle of the room.

"Hey," I announce my presence as I step into the space and both heads turn to me. "I hope I’m not interrupting?" I look at Dad, who shakes his head and gestures to the food he has set before him. "Care to join us?"

"No. I’m just out for a while." I offer politely and he nods before turning to grab some drinks off the small