Page 37 of Rust and Stardust

Mabel's eyes darted between Amber May and me, a knowing look crossing her weathered features. “I'm just fine, thank you. What brings you out to our neck of the woods?”

“Oh, you know me,” Amber May giggled, tossing her golden curls. “I can never stay away from Beau for too long. Thought I'd stop by and see how he's doin' with his barbecue prep.”

I shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Mabel's gaze. She knew full well about my history with Amber May. And she, probably more than anyone, wanted to see the two of us get together. That’s why, when I saw the concerned glance in my direction, I couldn’t help cocking my head to the side in confusion.

“Well, that's mighty thoughtful of you,” Mabel said, her tone carefully neutral. “But I think you and I better go inside and catch up so this boy can get back to work.” She glanced over at me again. “And don’t get too carried away. You’ve got that meetin’ tonight.”

“Ooh, what sort of meetin’?” Amber May asked, covering up her intrusiveness with a tone of polite curiosity. “Did you go and get a girlfriend on me?”

I could see the fire in her eyes, and I opened my mouth to try to lie my way out of it. But Mabel beat me to the punch.

“Actually, he’s workin’ with a big company in New York about a food festival. They sent a nice young man to scout, and he’s taken a shine to Beau. Of course, as a three-time barbecue champion, he’d be a fool not to.”

“Well, that does sound interestin’!”

Mabel wrapped her arm around Amber’s shoulders, pulling her toward the house. “Come on in and I’ll tell ya all about it.”

“Bye Beau!” Amber May called over her shoulder.

I waved back, but didn’t say anything. However, the moment both of them were back inside and I was out of sight, I let out thebreath I’d been holding. My heart was still racing and my blood a bit icy. Nothing like having the one person I was most afraid of sneaking up on me like that. Thank goodness for Mabel or I never would’ve escaped.

But then again, why did Mabel get me out of it? That wasn’t usually her style when it came to Amber May. More often than not, she was trying to force us together. So, what caused her to change her tune so suddenly without warning?

As I pondered Mabel's sudden change of heart, I heard the screen door creak open. I tensed, worried Amber May had managed to slip away from Mabel's grasp. But it was Frank who ambled down the porch steps, his weathered cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes.

“You alright there, son?” he called out, his voice gruff but kind.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah, I'm fine. Just... surprised is all.”

Frank chuckled, coming to stand beside me. “I reckon so. That Amber May's got a way of catchin' a fella off guard.”

We stood in companionable silence for a moment, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard. I could smell the smoky aroma of the barbecue wafting over, reminding me of the work I still had to do. I stepped over to the smoker, Frank standing beside me as I checked the temperature one last time.

“Looks like it should be ready,” I said, glancing up at him. “Want to try it?”

“Boy,” he said, shaking his head with a smile. “If I ever say no to that, you put me in the ground because I’m already dead.”

We both laughed as I reached in, peeling back the aluminum foil. Inside was a small slab of brisket covered in a dry rub of my own making. It had been slow cooking all day, marinating in its own juices until it had reached a level of tender that bordered on heavenly. With a small fork I reached in, tearing a piece away as if it were made of butter. I held it up to Frank, letting him have the first bite. He took it with a smile, popping the piece of brisket into his mouth.

“Goddamn…” he sighed, tears coming to his eyes. “Lord have mercy.”

“It’s okay then?” I chuckled.

“Okay?!” he scoffed. “You could barter with the devil himself and get anything you wanted with that.” He handed the fork back to me. “Good thing you’re too good a kid for that.”

“I’m also nearly thirty,” I grinned, taking a bite of the brisket for myself.

“You’re still a kid to me. Always will be.”

I patted Frank on the shoulder, giving him a smile before popping the brisket into my mouth. The familiar flavors swirled over my tongue, coalescing into an experience that was, in my humble opinion, pretty damn good. On top of that the meat was tender, juicy, and nearly melted as soon as it touched my lips. It was as good as my last winning brisket. And now I just had to recreate it for the big day.

But I didn't have much time to worry about that. The sun was starting to dip low on the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. I needed to get cleaned up for my meeting with Lucas.

“Y’all can have this for dinner if you like,” I said, wrapping the foil back around the brisket. “I’m meetin’ Lucas tonight.”

Frank’s eyes lit up, as if I’d said something interesting. “You and him spend a lot of time together, huh?”

“Yeah. I suppose.”

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