Contentment

It is warm outside but I close only the screen door, leaving the air conditioner to kick on and off, on and off in a futile fight against summers last breath.  Peals of laughter float up from the ravine as the high schoolers roast marshmallows and starbursts over the hot embers of a tired fire.  This is the second group to surround it this evening.  It was lit hours before for a giggly group of 10 year old girls celebrating with Miss Allie.  Hot dogs scorched on one side and chilled on the other bathed in ketchup with a healthy side of chips.  Bocce, rope swing, glow sticks, night games - it could have gone on all evening if the high school football game hadn't been canceled on account of lightening, sending the big kids home early to muscle their way into the festivities.

Another fit of laughter after some sort of fireside song/chant.  The voices scatter into the foliage and  someone yells to warn the others that the search has begun.  I find myself wondering how many more times our oldest will have the opportunity to play night games like this.  I know it's fleeting.  The air conditioner kicks back on, stubborn in its struggle.  The crickets are startled into silence for a brief moment and contentment lays her arm gently across my shoulders and settles happily in beside me.