Chapter 61 A Delicate Balance

• The backyard of Kenneth's and Lisa's residence was filled with happy chatter and peals of laughter. The sun shone above them warmly; a blaze of gold was poured on them, and this made the atmosphere serene at this small gathering. Older and closer friends and families mingled amongst themselves-expression of joy in every face, shared moments, and new beginnings. The soft air stirred trees, releasing the scent of fresh-cut grass, or so it seemed, with the sound of children's giggles from the corner, where Tristin was playing with a couple of other kids.
• Kenneth flipped the burgers sizzling over the grill with ease. Mark sat with him, cold beer in hand. "You've got quite the setup here," Mark commented, looking around the yard. "I'm happy for you, man. You deserve this."
• Kenneth smiled at the feeling of normalcy-the comfort of friends that were, for all practical purposes, family. "Thanks, Mark. It's been an adventure, but I finally feel like we are settling into something good.