There’s a family party in my aunt’s backyard.
Though spacious, it feels smaller with everyone crammed
together, their laughter and chatter filling the air. A bonfire crackles at the center, its smoke lingering as
the warmth reaches out to the guests, warding off the chill of the night. Aside from that, I can smell the
freshly roasted barbeque being prepared for all my family to eat. The backyard door that leads to the
inside of the house keeps creaking open and close as guests arrive.
My aunties and uncles are separated into groups. The uncles gather near the bonfire, while the aunts
huddle on the chairs along the edge, deep in conversation that I can tell is mostly gossip. The uncles
speak loudly, their laughter like booming thunder, while the aunts whisper softly, and the excited
murmurs of the guests create a lively contrast. My aunt Sarah, engaged in conversation, rubs her hands
together for warmth, her eyes darting between the fire and the other aunts, clearly feeling cold.
The moment it is announced that the food is ready, everyone stands up to get their share, their appetites
stirred. The kids rush outside to the dining table, jumping up and down like excited puppies. Guests
exclaim with satisfaction about the delicious food, their voices filled with delight.