it was a hot summer

he had been working outside all day

but finally got home tired and weary

time to relax and unwind

he slowly opened the fridge door

fully stacked with cold beer

reached for his favorite

gazed at the label like a long lost friend

the ice cold bottle melted the sweat from his hand

he unscrewed the top like champ

that whooshing sound was music to his ears

wakening his anticipating taste buds

as he lifted the bottle to drink

he caught the sweet smell of the beer

his brain instantly recognized that aroma

old memories flashed across his mind

as the bottle met his lips

he thought of sweet kisses from his first love

the cold beer flooded his mouth

cooling his baked neck from within

he sank half the bottle in one go

slumping into a porch chair

catching a breath of the hot humid air

his closing eyes raised the theatre curtain in his mind

seeing again the birth of his first child

watching him playing outside

teaching him to ride a bike

taking him on fishing trips

more thoughts of his young son flooded his mind

he could hear his running footsteps approaching

the theatre curtain in his mind closed as he opened his eyes

the young boy beamed I missed you grandpa