The BBQ Bandit’s Accidental Adoption

That Time I Joined the Wrong Family’s BBQ (Short Version w/ Wait Times) So a few summers

ago, my friend Federico texted me saying his family was having a BBQ at the lake.

I was tired from work but thought, why not? burgers + sun = therapy.

I get there and instantly someone waves at me, hands me a Coke, and goes,

“Glad you made it, buddy!” I’m like, “Wow, Federico’s family

is REALLY friendly.” ( wait 2 seconds… ) I start helping flip burgers,

handing out napkins, talking to an older lady who keeps calling me sweetheart. Kids run around,

a dog is doing parkour, and nobody questions who I am. Honestly, I felt weirdly accepted.