Thanksgiving Break: An evening around the fire pit

The evening before Thanksgiving proper everyone was gathered outside in the back yard around a wrought iron fire ring. "The pit" as the guys were fond of calling it. The fire pit had been part of many communal events for Jonathan and his family. Tommy had the fire roaring by the time everyone came out after a brief dinner out.

Jonathan and Luke were eager to "help" with the fire like they were Boy Scouts at summer camp. They threw small twigs and branches inside to stoke the fire. Jonathan was constantly shifting pieces around to make it "breathe" better as he would say. Leah, Ashley, and Tammy were all content to sit in camp chairs all bundled up and relax near the warmth of the flames.

There was plenty of small talk and laughs. Tammy was the first to turn in. She was older and didn't want to say out in the cold. Ashley was next after the wind shifted and she had a gust of **** black clouds cover her. Leah got some in her face but moved out of the way. Ashley coughed and sputtered.

"Ack! Ough! Okay I think THAT's enough for me." she said as she awkwardly got her pregnant form out of the camp chair near the fire. "Besides can't have the baby getting all this second hand smoke wew."

Jonathan stoked the fire and Tommy started a cigar.

"Anyone want a beer?" Luke asked. Everyone voiced their support for a drink. Leah may have preferred some hot chocolate with the weather so cold but a beer always helped survive a trip at the in-laws.

He soon came back and placed a beer in Jonathan's seat, handed one to his father and then leaned in and gave one to Leah after opening the glass top.

"Thank Luke," she said taking the beer and giving it a swig.

"Not every day I get to give a lady a beer. ha ha" he looked around as if his wife were hidden behind a tree. "Ashley can't drink so its been a while."

"Oh yeah, I bet. That does have to be hard to go that long without ****."

"Heh Yeah...been a while since other things too." he said giving her a suggestive look as he took a pull on his bottle.