IUSD14

==Chapter 14 - I used to Dream==
Ia Drang cabin
Kowloon
Kowloon System
Lyran Commonwealth
December, 3086
[Patrick's Point of view...]
"...grill temperature is more of a view and sense thing, than something scientifically determined, Penny."  I'm explaining how we barbecue in my family.  It's fall, it's relatively warm out still, and while most would say backyard barbecues are a summertime thing, they don't live with a  view like the one from the backyard of the Ia Drang house.
I mean, seeing for hundreds of kilometers across subtropical rainforest down below, along with deciduous forest along the Iron Ridge, and that's just the daytime, at night the lights of Hue are visible from the suspension bridge all the way to the foothills on the other side.
So I've got the charcoal lit, steaks cut, spices out.
"Really, this could go better with proper temperature control and..." comments Penny
"..And it would be regularized, homogenized, and the same every time." I nod, "Yeah, I know...hand me those wood chips soaked in water?"
She gives me the chips.  They're numblewood, more of a bush than a tree, it gives a slight peppery undertone with hints of caramelized sugars when added to a cookfire.  "Yes, exactly, regularized."
"That would negate the whole point of doing it." I explain, "The point is, every time is different and unique, memorable."  I give her a smile.
She huffs and stalks off to talk with Mom in the kitchen, while I lower the smoke-hood over the meat, and set the vents, then go inside.
Mom and Penny are in the kitchen and mom's showing her how to cut ripe ijero and glass-peppers for the salad.  I can smell the bread Dad made in the oven-the garlic undertones filling the house with a smell that triggers a 'warm' feeling.
"Anyone else coming up?" I ask.
"Your Aunt Evelynn's not going to make it up today. Henry called up to say he can't make it but, some of your cousins from the '73 Sibko are." Mom tells me, "They're coming up with Shelby."
"You know, Uncle Henry and Shelby have been together long enough, why don't they just say hell with it and sign a marriage contract?" I ask.
"That because...they won't." Mom says, "We've talked about it, off and on, Your father's even pointed out the advantages but, Henry's still got his career in the Touman and Shelby's still got hers. I think they're waiting for one of them to test out of service first."
"Well, I'll have to lay out more steaks then...and some burgers." I grin.
''
"Yes, you should do that." Mom agrees.
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