[Shout out to Dave, Warslide, DragonEz, and Nikola N!]
I took a deep breath and calmed down. It would be embarrassing if Penelope's relatives found me with a hard tent.
After a few seconds of internal monologue, I went downstairs. I found seven people already chopping the meat.
"Oi Keith. How's your trip going?"
Penelope's younger brother greeted me(I don't remember his name, I only know Simeon and Santiago).
Everyone was obviously happy and active. After all, each family had received a large Christmas gift from Corazon and Alberto.
"It's okay. We decided to eat at McDonald's and take the kids to a toy store. By the way, you can tell your kids to come see us tomorrow, we have Christmas presents for them."
"You don't have to do that, the kids are already happy if you give them 5 pesos, haha!"
I smiled and didn't answer.
5 pesos? Dude, that is too little. Christmas is about sharing and caring, giving them toys will make them happy.
Of course, I'm not belittling 5 pesos. It is enough to buy a handful of bread, enough to fill a stomach.
"We're fine here, but I think Father needs help outside."
The kitchen had a pathway outside so it was easy to carry water into the kitchen.
A few steps and I was outside, then I found Roman standing a few feet away from Alberto and the others.
"Hey, why are you standing there?"
I approached Roman and rubbed his hair. I don't know why, but my hand always moves by itself and rubs his hair. Sometimes I also rub Sophia's head.
"I'm only standing here because Uncle and Grandpa told me that the goat might escape and attack me."
"Is that so? Then why don't you go back to our room? You can play with your new toys."
"No, I want to stay here. They are going to kill the ducks next, I want to see it."
"Because it looks interesting."
"All right, all right, just don't be Dexter Morgan."
"Dexter who? Dad, sometimes you act weird, are you okay?"
Kid, I should be the one to ask you that.
Since Roman wanted to watch them kill the goats and ducks, I decided to leave him alone. Kids are very curious these days.
"Keith, looks like you came. Help us scrub the goats and shave their hair." Simeon nodded at me.
I kneeled down and helped them. We soaked the goat in the hot water first and then began to clean and shave it.
Roman and the other children watched curiously. After a few minutes of watching, they lost interest and decided to play tag instead.
Roman's cousins invited him to join their game, and he easily agreed. So while we were killing ducks and goats, the kids were playing around. A pretty normal scene if you ask me.
Hours went by and we completely butchered the meat. Then I helped my brother-in-laws chop some firewood.
Alberto made a stove with stones to cook outside. We're going to cook a lot of food, so two stoves were needed. One in the kitchen and one outside.
I have seen people cooking with a homemade stove using stones as a base.
"Father decided to cook goat stew (kalderetang kambing) and curry. As for the goat skin and ears, we'll make kilawing kambing."
"Oh, that will be delicious."
My mouth watered when I heard what Simeon said. Especially kilawing kambing, that dish was good with beer or any alcohol... Damn, I suddenly feel like I can't keep my promise.
Kilawing kambing plus alcohol was a dangerous combination, I might drink one...
"Hey Keith, we have coconut palm liquor. Do you want to drink?"
One of Penelope's brothers invited me to take a sip. He offered me a glass.
My hand almost took the cup, but I stopped when I noticed my wife staring at me from the window with deep crimson eyes.
"N- no, I think I'll pass. Hehe."
"Is that so? That's kind of sad."
"Drinking makes me lose myself and I promise my wife I won't touch alcohol."
My palms were sweating as I smiled forcibly. My lips twitched.
I glanced at the window and noticed that Penelope was gone.
The answer to my question came as I saw my wife approach me. It seemed that she had decided to protect me from dangerous alcoholic drinks.
"Y- Yes." I stammered for some unknown reason.
Penelope wrapped her arms around me and looked at me playfully.
"What are you doing~" She asked with a not so friendly smile.
"I'm helping Simeon build a fire."
"I see. Then why did I almost see you drinking, hm?" She squeezed my arm lightly.
"Of course not, I'm just stretching my arms."
"But that's not what I saw."
"Keith Castillo, try drinking alcohol and you know what happens."
"I will not let you sleep next to me."
She is threatening me! Blackmail, what a black-hearted woman!
"I promise I will never drink!"
I had no choice. Sleeping next to my wife was the most comfortable thing ever.
I can't believe she would use that weapon against me. She's really bad.
Her brothers overheard our conversation and kept their mouths shut.
I realized something important, they were afraid of Penelope. I didn't know the exact reason, but I can empathize. I'm afraid of my wife too.
In the end, I was tortured by watching them drink happily while I drank Coca-Cola instead. Not bad, to be honest.
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