The months rolled by, and the dense heat of summer thinned out to a tepid autumn. Mia wasn't at her house often anymore, usually spending every night with Bill. She would stop at home long enough to get new changes of clothes and to feed Pierre. Bill delighted in having her stay with him so often. Every day with her was a wondrous experience. Every new facet of her, be it an interest, a favorite color, a memory, was like unwrapping a present every time he learned more about her. It was astonishing to him that he could find her more beautiful than the day before, that he could feel more deeply toward her than he ever had, and every day the connection between them grew stronger than he ever dared to believe possible. And to think, the moment he met her, he never expected she would see him again after that night. Yet now here she is, months later, she's his girlfriend who smiles at him, who touches him, who tells him her dreams and ideas and listens to his with her full attention.

Bill hung out with Tom often, and sometimes even with Raul. They usually went fishing together, or hit up different bars. They all had gone beer tasting together at different breweries, something Bill hadn't done before, but thoroughly enjoyed. He also kept up with hiking with them. He never realized how beautiful nature was, even in the wooded areas around Arlen that he had known his whole life. It was also a lot of fun to get together with Mia and her family, who were becoming like family to him, too.

He also never thought he'd see himself lose as much weight and look as fit as he was now. Bill wasn't mindlessly eating anymore, and not heaping on extra portions of food anymore, and even drinking a little less alcohol. He didn't need to keep eating and drinking to have something to do with himself, or to have something to fill the void within himself. He was happy now, because he had a purpose, he had a reason to get up every day, and things to look forward to.

Mia spent a lot of time with Leah, as they had really hit it off as friends. Mia joined Leah on her early morning jogs and helped her in the garden. Leah was also into art like Mia, her preferred medium being pencil and ink drawings. They would both sit together, Leah drawing with graphite and Mia painting with watercolors, sometimes outside in the sunshine, sometimes inside while they watched TV.

Bill's friends had grown to like Mia a lot, too. She would sometimes join them out in the alley, and they kept their beer cooler with a couple of hard lemonades or wine coolers stocked just for her and Leah. Mia would often bake a batch of cookies or muffins to pass out to them and the rest of the neighbors.

Gilbert had been traveling around again, so Bill hadn't seen him for a while. Gilbert had recently called to say he was back in Austin and would like to visit. Bill thought it to be a good opportunity for him and Mia to meet. Bill arranged to make dinner at his house for the three of them. He decided on making some Cajun food. It was something that would remind Gilbert of home, and Bill knew Mia liked it after she and him made some dishes together before.

Mia came over to Bill's after spending most of her day at home feeding Pierre and keeping up on housework. She now came into his house after Bill had given her a key of her own, like it was her house, too. Her hair was tied into a long side braid that hung over her shoulder, exactly the way Leah would usually do her own hair. Bill thought it looked cute that way. It was amusing to him that Leah was having such an impression on her.

"Wow, it smells so good in here," she said after she came into the kitchen to greet him, "What are you making?"

"Shrimp etouffee, roasted okra, and smoked ribs, with my family's barbecue sauce."

"Oh, are you using the barbecue pit you have outside?"

"Yep. I haven't used it since I last saw Gilbert."

"I can't wait to try some," she smiled, "Is there anything you want me to do to help?"

It was moments like these, which were often, that made him really stop and look at her, and really comprehend how wonderful she was to him, how she was always wanting to help him, or support him, or in some way praise or compliment him. Instead of answering, he crossed over to her, grabbed her close against him, and kissed her deeply. When they broke apart, his eyes lingered on hers, taking in how beautiful she was, and how surely he cared for her.

"What?" she asked, shyly, but looked back into his eyes as well.

"I just can't get over how much you mean to me…"

"You mean a lot to me, too."

He, too, was always there to help or support her, to praise or compliment her, to encourage her and build her up. He always gave her his full attention, he remembered things she told him, even the little offhand remarks. He made her feel so special, so meaningful...

They stood there in the middle of the kitchen, holding each other, looking into each other's eyes, smiling dreamy smiles, when suddenly the doorbell rang. The sound snapped them back to their senses, reminding them of reality.

They went together to answer the door.

"Gilbert! Bienvenue!" Bill greeted his cousin. Gilbert was dressed in a soft gray suit, and holding a long cigarette holder, the cigarette smoldering away at the end.

"Guillaume, so lovely to see you again. My, how you've changed. You're much...slimmer than when I left you last." Gilbert was always one to say exactly what was on his mind, no matter how callous or blunt it may be.

"Thanks, Gilbert," Bill grinned, "Come in, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Mia."

"Enchantée," Gilbert said, and kissed Mia's hand, which made her giggle.

"It's nice to meet you. Bill has told me a lot about you."

"Good things, I hope, but don't expect." Gilbert sat on the couch, his leg crossed.

"Don't be silly. He told me you redesigned his whole house. It looks great in here."

"Oh, I thank you. I did what my abilities would allow inside of an Ikea." He shuddered at the thought.

"So, Gilbert, how was traveling?" Bill asked.

"Enlightening. I went as far north as Colorado, but even that was too north for me. I truly am a Southern belle, you see. I rested a spell in New Mexico and experienced the desert life. But Texas was what kept calling my name."

"Do you get homesick for Louisiana?"

"I'll admit, occasionally yes. But I like having the refreshing backdrop of Texas against my newly turned over leaf of life."

Bill later excused himself to finish up the ribs in the barbecue pit outside. When he returned, Mia and Gilbert were in deep conversation about books and literature.

"I think my main exposure to French literature is Papillon by Henri Charriere," Mia said.

"Ah - one of my favorites. Even though it is speculated to be primarily falsehoods and exaggerations, it still makes for a riveting tale of the trials and tribulations of the human spirit."

"Dinner is ready," Bill called.

They settled down at the kitchen table, laid out with the wonderful dishes of food Bill skillfully prepared.

"Cousin," Gilbert said.

Bill looked at him, and saw he was looking at the plate of barbecue ribs.

"The family's recipe?" Gilbert asked cautiously.

"Yes...is that okay?"

"Of course, of course...I'm just pleased to see you haven't stopped making it."

"I made it especially for you. All of this food, really. To remind you of home."

Gilbert smiled, a genuine smile, something he didn't often do. The weariness of his face seemed to melt away. He seemed truly touched by Bill's effort. "Thank you, cousin, it all looks so lovely."

Mia didn't know about the barbecue sauce related fight the two of them had in the past, so the interaction puzzled her, but she said nothing. The food was absolutely delightful, as always, since Bill was so talented at cooking.

"This etouffee is better than what Carla, our private chef, used to make," complimented Gilbert.

"You had a private chef?" Mia couldn't help but asking.

"Indeed. As well as a maid, a nanny, a gardener, among other hired help. Guillaume and I came from a life of privilege. However, I remained in that life while he lived something a little more...rustic."

"Wait," Mia said to Bill, "You used to have a maid and a private chef?"

Gilbert spoke before Bill could answer. "He didn't tell you? He was born in the Chateau D'Haute Rive along with myself and my siblings. Our families lived together on our vast estate until his parents left for here."

"Well, I think my father was kind of kicked out, and my mother left with him."

"Wow. I didn't know you were bayou royalty." Mia said, fascinated.

"I'm not, really. I don't feel any connection to it. I may have been born there but I'm definitely a Texas boy."

"Come now, Guillaume, don't be so modest. The swamp runs in your veins."

Bill shrugged. He often wondered what kind of person he would have turned out to be, had he continued to be raised the way Gilbert did. But Bill liked how he grew up here in Arlen. He liked that he knew how to fish and camp and cook and do practical, hands-on things like woodworking and masonry.

"This barbecue sauce is so good," commented Mia, "This is a family recipe you said?"

"Yep. Passed down from Dauterive to Dauterive for many generations."

"It is good indeed, cousin," Gilbert agreed, "You have a genuine talent here. I've actually been meaning to talk to you about that."

"Oh?"

Gilbert smoothed out the napkin in his lap. "Yes… As you recall, I extended my dearest apologies for my behavior when I learned you were trying to commercialize the Dauterive name. I suppose I wasn't clear enough then; I want to give you my blessing. I'd like to see you create and sell our family's sauce. I'd like to see you foster your talent and the pride it brings you."

Bill sat quietly, turning the words over in his head. He hadn't thought about starting his barbecue sauce business at all since the initial falling out with Gilbert. When he was making his barbecue sauce with the intent to sell, it was the only thing in his life that was giving him purpose. But now he had other purposes, like Mia, and Jackie and Tom and Raul, and all the activities they did together.

"I don't know," Bill replied slowly.

"Please, give it some thought. I wouldn't want any of the money you'd earn from it. I'm still troubled by my behavior over it and would truly like to see your dreams realized."

"Well, thanks, Gilbert. I'll think about it."

Later in the evening after they finished eating, they moved to the living room. Gilbert and Mia chatted away about books and authors, poems and poets, even artworks and artists. Bill couldn't chime in too often, as he wasn't much into recreational reading or fine arts, but it pleased him to see the two of them finding shared interests to discuss with each other.

Mia was telling Gilbert about the art mediums she uses. "I do mostly watercolors - actually, I painted the picture Bill hung over there."

"Oh! The fish?" Gilbert strode across the room to get a better look "This is incredible...the depth and flourish is a class of its own. You do beautiful work…" Gilbert observed the painting for a moment, quite impressed.

"Thank you." Mia smiled.

"Mia," Gilbert started after he sat back down, "I think I know what my magazine could use now. I sincerely believe a painting for the front cover would give it a more cultivated and dignified appeal."

"You want me to paint a cover for your magazine?"

"I would be honored. You would be monetarily compensated, of course."

"Oh, I couldn't take money from family…"

Bill was pleased that she referred to his family as her family, too. Gilbert even gave another genuine smile, which Bill assumed meant Gilbert felt the same way as he did.

"I couldn't let such skill and time spent go unrewarded."

"Well," she said slowly, "Maybe we can make a trade. I'll paint for you and maybe you could do something for me."

"Absolutely, what did you have in mind?"

Her eyes sparkled eagerly. "Come to Spumoni's with us next weekend."

"Ah...the cocktail lounge?"

"That's the one."

Gilbert sat back, looking perplexed. Clearly he wasn't expecting that. Bill was also confused, looking from Mia to Gilbert, wondering if there was something he was missing.

"I...would be delighted."

"Great!"

The three of them later moved outside, to enjoy the cool air and watch the stars scattered within the inky night sky. They talked together, and they laughed together, even Gilbert, who Bill couldn't recall ever laughed much before. Gilbert seemed more open tonight, less reserved and distant. His thin face which once held fatigue and listlessness now appeared more youthful and happy.

Bill was glad everything was going so well, not just with the dinner tonight, but with everything in his life. He had his cousin, his girlfriend, new friends, and a new lease on life. It was almost alarming to think about how he never used to have these things. He couldn't imagine his life without them now.

And he especially couldn't imagine his life without Mia.