I don't really consider myself a cook, but with a few brief exceptions, (and not counting in space), I've lived alone since I left my parents' house at eighteen. I had to learn to figure things out in the kitchen, not to mention that since I was a sophomore undergrad, I've had a steady supply of fresh fruits and vegetables grown by my own hand right there, everyday. My mom didn't teach me to be wasteful, and if you've ever had a vegetable garden of your own, you know there's only so much you can give away.

So I learned.

What I've brought today is pretty simple, but I'm happy enough with it, and happier still to see the group milling leisurely across the lawn. I brought Bethany over to trim the verge last week, so it almost actually feels semi-normal and not like we're all trapped here against our will.

The crabs have all been boiled and dumped out into the biggest serving dishes we could find, the campfires are still going, providing light as the sky darkens. Sighing, I settle into one chair and put my feet up on another and finally tackle my own plateful of food.