Juneteenth Cookout, Houston

“Uncle Ray been at the pit since 4 AM. Brisket wrapped in butcher paper, ribs with that bark you can see from across the yard. The red soda — Big Red or Faygo or strawberry Fanta, it doesn't matter, it has to be red. Auntie Charlene's potato salad that she won't give the recipe for and you know it's because she doesn't measure anything. Dominoes SLAMMING on the card table — Uncle James plays like he's angry but he's just winning. Three generations in lawn chairs, the stories getting louder and longer. The kids running through the sprinkler. Somebody brought a speaker. This is history. This is right now.”