Priorities

"Dad! Grandma wants more barbeque sauce!"

"On it pumpkin!"

Richard was fast at work grilling for his extended family. They were all gathered in his backyard, it was his birthday, and laughter and song echoed through the air.

Richard was happy, of course, or rather, content. There was only one thing that could make this day complete.

"Here you go pumpkin." He handed the sauce to his daughter.

'Thanks, Dad!"

"Sarah? Sweetie, can you look at my phone and tell me the score? My hands are all sticky."

Little Sarah did her patented eye roll. "You and your silly game, Dad..." She picked up Richard's phone. "Dallas is leading by 5. Happy?"

"Very!" He blew her a kiss. "Thanks, sweetie!"

Sarah returned to her relatives as Richard returned to his grill. He bought a lot of meat this year. It was the first time they were hosting their inlaws. And Richard had bragged about his grilling skills on numerous occasions. So he told his wife that today he was the only one allowed around the grill. Speaking of which...

"Honey, Dad said he'd help you when he comes back from the bathroom."

"Would that be my dad or your dad?" Richard asked. "Babe, I thought the grilling was my thing this year. He always tries to take everything from me, I -"

"Oh, Richard! Stop being so dramatic!" She slapped his arm. "Just humor him, hmmm? For me?"

"Alright..." Anna smiled, moved. "Ann! You forgot something."

She smirked, walking over and giving him a peck on the cheek. "Satisfied?"

"Hardly but that wasn't even what I was talking about."

Anna cackled rubbing his back and picking up his phone. "We're up by 3!"

"Yikes," Richard pierced his lips.

"Isn't that good?"

"We were up by a dozen... they might be crumbling..."

"Richard, I swear, stop focussing on the damn game and enjoy your day! Come on! Can't you see everyone smiling?"

"I will, honey." But it's the finals. Richard thought it but thought better than to say it. Ann wouldn't understand anyway. Richard was waiting for this title since he was a toddler with his grandpa. They were lucky he was here at all, and not at the arena cheering for his team.

Just then the mayor of the town of Brag appeared - Anna's father. "Well, Richard. I heard you were a grilling master."

"Well, Davis. See for yourself." Richard gestured to the perfectly cooked stakes.

"Not bad, not bad." Davis nodded approvingly, but Richard knew what was coming next. "Have I told you about the time when I cooked for the entirety of my football team?"

Richard grinned - the old man never changes. "No. But I bet you will do that right now."

And he did, at length. Davis was a narcissist that couldn't see past his own ego. A good man. But Richard could barely stand him. If he wasn't his beloved father, he would have knocked his ass out on multiple occasions. But he was Ann's dad, which meant he didn't. Richard nodded politely and laughed as if on cue. Wasn't long until Ann's smiling face arrived to save him.

"Richard, Dad! It's time for the birthday boy's surprise!"

Ann always did this. She hated surprises, but she loved gifting. So she tended to announce her surprises before they happened. Richard chuckled. The grilling was done anyway. His phone kept buzzing, which meant the score kept changing. But he'd check the game after he honored his wife.

The queen bought him a jersey of his favorite player... He grabbed her, lifting her off the ground and kissing her deeply. She truly was the most amazing woman in the world.

Then his kids! They lifted an oil painting of him in their backyard. It was so well done that Richard's eyes started to water. He kissed and hugged them both. He wasn't expecting anything from them, and this was more than he deserved.

Then... Davis appeared holding an antique watch. The watch Richard was jealous of since the moment he saw it. Davis said it would suit Richard more, and Richard gave him the first genuine hug since he'd known the man. This was amazing.

More presents and Richard couldn't stop smiling. The birthday cake came after and everyone's spirits were high. They drank and laughed and danced. One of the cousins tripped and scraped their knee. Some tears followed but soon were replaced by bravado and smiles. The cake was so delicious as well. Ann's baking had gotten more and more skilled. Richard loved that about her - she never gave up, and she always wanted to improve.

He really was the luckiest person in the world.

That is until he decided to pick up his phone to check the time. He saw the game's score, and the walls of his reality started to shatter.

"Dad? Dad, are you crying?"

Dallas lost the game by one. And the world and everything in it ceased to matter.

Richard remembered his old man's saying. "When you are at your happiest, the devil smiles."

He really does, Pa. He really does...

Richard covered his face with his palms and cried.

Obligatory shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙

With the amazing NBA playoff happening right now, I had this vision of a deranged sports fan. And the lengths they'd take to cheer for their team. As it were, the story shifted into something mimicking that idea, but not wholly. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. 😁 Just a simple commentary on the sport lovers' brains, nothing more nothing less.

Hope it was an enjoyable read. 😌

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Cover image source.

I hope you have a fantastic day! 🙌