The next morning, Mike stepped out of his room and saw George in the living room, busy handling a slab of beef.
Grandma Connie stood nearby, holding a glass of wine and watching.
What's going on here? Mike wondered. Just yesterday, those two looked like they couldn't stand each other. Now they seemed… oddly harmonious.
Mike walked over and quietly asked, "Meemaw, did you give George the recipe?"
"Mmm-hmm~" Grandma Connie nodded. Seeing the big grin on George's face, she clicked her tongue in annoyance and muttered under her breath, "Such an easily satisfied idiot."
It was obvious she still didn't think much of her son-in-law—but she'd learned how to hide it so George wouldn't notice.
Mike glanced at George, who was grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, and shook his head. When it came to scheming, George was still miles behind Grandma Connie.
Then again, considering he'd gotten Mary pregnant and married her without her mother's blessing back in the day, this treatment was probably well deserved.
George looked up from his work and spotted Mike. Smiling, he said, "Mike, you're in luck today. I'm making the most authentic Texas-style secret barbecue."
Judging by the way he gently rubbed the beef, his mood was excellent.
"Sounds good. I'll be sure to taste it properly," Mike replied with a smile, wisely avoiding anything that might kill the vibe.
Then he headed off to wash up.
By the time Mike finished freshening up and changed into clean summer clothes, George had already finished marinating the meat.
The entire cut—close to twenty pounds—was neatly arranged inside a clear container. It looked impressively professional.
"Alright, we're ready to go," George said with satisfaction as he picked up the box. He could barely wait to fire up the grill and show everyone what he could do.
"Hold on…" Grandma Connie set down her wine glass and walked briskly to the coat rack. She grabbed a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses, put them on, then turned around. "Well? How do I look?"
It was September, and the worst of the heat hadn't passed yet. Even at her age, Grandma Connie took good care of herself.
The outfit wasn't just stylish—it also protected her from the blazing sun.
"You look great," Mike said sincerely.
George, meanwhile, glanced at his mother-in-law's dramatic getup and quietly rolled his eyes, saying nothing.
"Thank you~" Grandma Connie smiled at Mike, then dropped the smile and turned to George. "Alright, let's go!"
Today's picnic had been organized by the church. Pastor Jeff had already sent everyone the location—a farm about ten miles outside of town.
Not too close, not too far. Just far enough to feel like an outing without wearing everyone out.
Out front, George loaded the marinated beef into the trunk and called into the house, "Mary, get the kids. It's time to go."
"Coming—!" Mary's slightly frazzled voice replied. "Sheldon, hurry up!"
A moment later, the house echoed with a series of clatters and bumps.
Clearly, wrangling three kids was no easy task.
After a while, Mary finally came out with Missy and Georgie.
Since Pastor Jeff had asked her to help with food, Mary was carrying plenty of cooking tools and seasonings—better safe than sorry.
When Missy saw Mike, her eyes lit up. She ran over and jumped at him affectionately. "Mike, you look so handsome today~"
Kids were always the first to sense changes in the family atmosphere.
Last night, after George got the barbecue recipe, he and Mary hadn't argued anymore. Missy noticed that right away—and her usual cheerfulness had returned.
Mike caught her and spun her around twice, making her giggle uncontrollably.
Sure enough, sweet, soft little girls were way more lovable than bratty, annoying boys.
Of course, this rule applied only to Missy and Sheldon.
After setting her down, Mike teased, "What, was I not handsome before?"
Today, Mike was wearing a crisp white button-up that made him look fresh and sharp.
Still, it wasn't like he suddenly became better-looking overnight.
"No, no—Mike, you've always been handsome!" Missy rushed to explain, her little face turning red.
Her flustered expression made Mike laugh. He stopped teasing and said, "Thanks—and Missy, you look really pretty today too."
She was wearing a pink floral dress and a butterfly hair clip. As she walked, the little wings fluttered gently.
The outfit made her look like a tiny flower fairy.
"Really?" Missy beamed and spun around twice, proudly showing herself off.
Then she suddenly became serious, curtsied like a little lady, and said softly, "Thank you~"
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On the other side, George finished loading the cooking gear and looked around. "Where's Sheldon? Why isn't he out yet?"
Before Mary could answer, a small figure slowly emerged from the house—wearing what looked like a child-sized spacesuit.
Sheldon glanced at everyone and said calmly, "I hope I'm not late. Alright, we can leave now."
Mary's temper flared the moment she saw his outfit. "Sheldon, didn't I prepare clothes for you? What on earth are you wearing?"
Facing his mother's outburst, Sheldon removed his resin helmet, took a couple of deep breaths, and explained seriously, "The outdoors is extremely dangerous. There are animals, fungi, bacteria, viruses… The clothes you prepared offer no real protection."
"Fortunately, I prepared my own protective suit," he continued, gesturing proudly at the mini 'spacesuit.' "It will shield me from environmental harm."
He stood there looking smug, clearly waiting to be praised.
Sheldon hated animals. Even a chicken was enough to make him uncomfortable.
So going on a picnic was already a major challenge for him.
Whether this outfit could actually protect his health was debatable.
But in September heat, wearing something that thick and airtight all day would almost certainly result in heatstroke.
"Haha, Moonpie, aren't you hot?" Grandma Connie laughed, amused by Sheldon's bulky outfit.
"Not at all~" Sheldon said stubbornly, wiping sweat off his forehead.
Mary reached over and checked his temperature. "Dear Lord—you're practically overheating. Go back inside and change right now."
Between heatstroke and potential bacteria exposure, Sheldon would've preferred the former.
He stayed rooted to the spot, refusing to move.
"Go. Now," George snapped coldly.
At home, Mary might seem stricter—but Sheldon was actually more afraid of George.
Hearing his father's tone, Sheldon looked helplessly toward Grandma Connie for support.
This time, she only shook her head slightly—she wasn't stepping in.
With no backup, Sheldon finally trudged back toward the house.
To be safe, Mary followed him inside.