We have regular family gatherings throughout the year that are fairly large (15-20 people total) and require a good deal of planning, coordinating, and work. Most everyone pitches in cooking, hosting, helping out the host, cleaning up afterwards.
Except for my brother-in-law Dale.
Dale must be assigned a contribution; otherwise he will show up empty-handed. He is typically delegated the easiest task possible; while others are mashing potatoes, baking pies, and roasting turkeys, Dale must swing by the grocery store for a bag of chips.
During the gathering, many are hustling around, setting up tables, putting finishing touches on dishes; Dale finds his way to the most comfortable chair and plops his ass in it.
Dale is the first one to the table when dinner is announced, and the first one finished eating, then back to ‘his’ chair, leaving his dirty dish and utensils on the table. Everyone else remains at the table eating, drinking coffee, and talking.
Afterwards in the family room, the conversation flows: “How is school going?” “How’s your team doing?” “How is Aunt Tillie feeling these days?” Dale’s contributions: “Did I tell you about my last trip?” “Guess where I’m going on my next trip…” and “My boss couldn’t believe how good a job I did on…”
Then, well before anyone has made a move to begin clean-up, Dale stands up, announces he has to go home and do some laundry, and says good night. An hour or two later, we all pitch in to clean up.
And yes, this happens every single time.
Nobody says a word, because, ya know, that’s just Dale.
mmm