Clara had been peeling the potatoes while Heather volunteered to cut lettuce for the salad. Jeremy was seasoning the ground beef for his famous burgers, and Sebastian helped prep the grill and placed all drinks in the cooler after taking out a couple of beers for himself and Jeremy. He offered some to the women, but Clara said she preferred wine and gave Heather a glass.
It was a very pleasant, comfortable environment where each person knew what they had to do. Clara always wished to have a family like this, where people pitched in and were happy to be there. This was the reason she always enjoyed being in the kitchen at the orphanage. It was the hub, where they shared the latest gossip and where people were able to let go of any reservations they had. They laughed at stupid, funny stuff and cried at unfortunate events.
Preparing and cooking food always brings out a good mood in people. Especially when there was good company and the person cooking loved what they did.
