Lawnmowers. Fathers yelling at kids. Unhappy housewives. Hummingbirds suck on sugar water.

The grills will be burning soon. Overcooked steaks. Corn on the cob. A watermelon diced. Vodka and cranberry in a tall glass.

Music plays. It’s all pretend. Dogs  barking behind fences. Swimming pools above ground. The smell of chlorine fills the air.

And, as miserable as they are, mom and dad are proud. They pulled off the American dream.