She spun in a field. Six years old with a lilac Easter dress, and not a care for the multitude of bees and dragonflies that hovered ever close. Her laugh floated with the afternoon and carried all the way to the deck.

“You need another?”

Tyler didn’t look away from his niece but sloshed his nearly full Michelob Ultra at his father. That was the only answer his father needed, leaving the porch to reenter the party. As he opened the sliding door, the drone of discordant voices trickled out, only to be silenced a moment later as it closed again.

Tyler knew he should probably head back inside, but he felt no rush. He took a big sip of his beer, continuing to watch Lacey twirl in the field below, giggling as Reptar, the elderly family beagle, tried to keep up with her. It was strangely melancholic and tranquil. Tyler wasn’t sure how he could feel so sad and so at peace all at once.

The sliding of the back door brought with it the sounds of the family party inside, only to be drowned out again with another click.

Tyler looked over, expecting his father, but being greeted by the smile of his younger brother, Alex.

“Figured you could use another?” he said, the foresight to bring a Michelob out with him.

Tyler went to slosh the beer like he had with his father, only to realize he was closer to a refill then he’d thought.

Alex sat next to him, placing the beer on the railing.

“When you’re ready,” he said with a sigh, as he plopped into the adjacent plastic chair.

Tyler was back to looking out at his niece, who had now fallen to the ground, wrestling and rolling with Reptar. Her mother, Tyler’s sister-in-law Anna, would not be happy about the state of the dress.

“When did we lose that?” said Tyler, turning to his brother.

“Lose what? That?” said Alex, pointing to his daughter with a laugh, “We never had that.”

“We had that,” said Tyler, slightly offended, “You know what I mean. Just free; not a real care in the world.”

“You and I had many things going for us as kids, but not a care in the world, that wasn’t one of them.”

Alex took a sip, snorted with the bottle to his lips, and pulled it away.

“We,” he added, pointing back and forth between the two of them, “Would’ve been playing a game and been at each other’s throats. That out there is an innocence you and I never had.”

“You’re probably right,” said Tyler, “I guess I’m just in a weird place.”

“So is everyone,” said Alex, “Although I will say, kids give you a second chance at some things. But you have to recognize it. And you’re half-way there my brother.”

“You’re right,” laughed Tyler, taking another drink, “Now, all I need is the kid.

He paused.

“And the wife I suppose.”

“In due time, hermano” said Alex.