Sumatra

The evening has turned out better than expected.

While we waited for a seat at the Ironside Grill the guys all stood just outside the doors talking about the circumstances that brought us together. Strangers walked around us while we talked about D & D and World of Warcraft. Not the last of these conversations that would take place. In the lights of the street we shifted topics to our families and church. The four of us made a small circle.

The girls were making their way through the slow streets of Plymouth. They were originally connected through us, but they had developed a friendship of their own.

Steve was holding the buzzer that would let us know when the table was ready. It went off almost an hour after we had taken to the street, but the time went fast. The guys went in and sat down, while we were waiting for the women. In the dim light of the room, lit by numerous TVs and colorful light boxes, we talked about how to sit at dinner. We opted for a guy's side and a girl's side. While I enjoyed the flavors and and smells of my pizza, it was hard not to notice the flow of conversation at the opposite end of the table. Topics of motherhood and children flowed easily. The food, while good, didn't matter. The conversation at my end, while maybe not as meaningful, flowed just as easily.

Now, here we are. The air is full of music. Steve has somehow taken our badly out of tune piano and made it sing. I can also her my wife singing. Others hop in, but they do the quiet singing of the unsure. They have sung rock tunes, some Broadway and now, the area where they both have the most experience, praise music. It is not just good, but stunningly good. One of those performances that makes it hard to reconcile that it is happening live in your house.

In the kitchen James and I chat about coffee while a pot brews. So far he has described his experience with the beverage as muscling through. Every cup he has had, before that night, was bitter. I know just the trick. While Steve does what he does best, I do what I do best. I have ground a Medium Roast Sumatra, good flavor and low acidity. I use slightly less than normal grounds in the brewing, this will make sure the flavor is not too aggressive, if it happens that Sumatra is not his thing. He has not one, but two cups out of that pot. It makes me happy to share the experience with him.

Larry and Dixie talk to our girls, who are likely at the table because the fudge is there. Savannah regales him with facts on Presidents and Sienna spouts crazy thing that make Dixie smile. Downstairs away from the noise of the piano, Megan, the most recent Mom and Amy, the mother to be are talking. I have no idea what they are talking about, but given my gender I'm fairly certain I'm not supposed to know.

In this moment,it seems everyone can shine. We are happy with ourselves and happy with each other. I love these people. They are my family that can't live with me all the time. Normally, I would make myself busy playing host, trying to improve everyone's experience, but there is no need. Instead, I sip my coffee and feel blessed.