Those Damned Boys (to be continued)

There was only one house in St. Juiet, Tennessee where you could find people outside barbecuing in the start of winter, without their shirts on. This was at the Goodwill brothers’ house. All six brothers stood outside, goose bumps dotting their skin, with beers in their hand, except for the oldest. He drank whiskey. From oldest to youngest, their names were: Daniel, Adam, Matthew, Nathan, Ethan, and David.
Phoebe Goodwill was washing the dishes sixteen days after David’s second birthday when she realized her error, as if she had pricked her forefinger on the point of a knife. Two days later, at a neighbor’s dinner party she found out that the town referred to her six kids as the “damned boys” instead of the “Goodwill boys”.
Since birth, they’ve been inseparable. From youngest to oldest there was a ten year difference, but this mattered none to all of them. At 18, David moved out of the home he had grown up in to live with his brothers. And that winter, there they stood, 19, 21, 23, 24, 28, 29, craving burgers and hot dogs, Matthew manning the grill.
“All right, Boys. Let’s try’n be civilized tonight and set the table instead of eatin’ in front of the TV again. Matt, holler when you need a hand,” Adam said after giving the proper laughter to one of Daniel’s stories.
“Thought I was the older brother?” Daniel asked, taking a sip from his whiskey.
“Yeah right. We all always knew Adam was the leader of this pack,” answered David, earning himself a shove as they all laughed, making their way in the house. Nathan stayed behind.
“I’ll wait out here with Matt, bring in the food when it’s ready. Shouldn’t be long, should it?” he said
“Nah. You can wait,” Matthew answered.
“All right, then. See you guys inside,” Daniel said.
Nathan walked up next to Matt, staring down at the sizzling burgers as he took a long swig from his beer.
“What’s up Nate?” Matthew asked.
“Nothin’.”
“Nothin’ my ass. You’ve been quiet all day.”
“Just a bit cold.”
“All right. I’ll leave it.”
Nathan took a look around the small yard. He noticed the house was too small for six guys to be living in, but it was exactly how they wanted it. The fact that there was no privacy was never an issue for him, and it was never an issue for any of the brothers. Hearing Matthew whoop brought his attention back to the present.
“Wendy Adams! Back from the dead. How you doin’, Girl? Haven’t seen you around here for a month now,” Matthew yelled, laughing at his own comment.
“I’m doin’ fine. Been busy and all, you know how it is. Where’s your brother?”
“Oh, so y’all are still together? I wasn’t sure with your extended absence. He’s inside settin’ the table with the other guys.”
“All right.”
“You want somethin’ to eat? I could throw another dog or burger on.”
“Nah, I’m fine.”
“All right, then.”
“I’ll see you inside. Hey Nathan.”
“Hi,” Nathan answered. Wendy went inside.
“Fuck. Who invited her here?” Nathan asked, feeling more cold than before, bouncing up and down to get warm.
“What do you mean? She’s always invited. She’s Daniel’s girlfriend.”
“Yeah, but…she hasn’t been here in a while.”
“So?”
“I don’t know…just seems wrong.”
“I don’t know what you’re gettin’ at Nathan.
“I don’t know either.”
“All right. I’m gonna head inside and get some barbacue sauce to put on these burgers right quick. Be right back.”
Matthew headed inside, leaving Nathan bouncing and staring at the burgers. He took another long swig from his beer as Wendy came back outside.