Kevin Leeds looked up from his newspaper at the sound of the doorbell.

"Will you get that, honey?" his wife called out from the kitchen.

"Sure thing," he replied, getting up from his easy chair and walking to the front door.

When he opened the door he was greeted by a large, well-built man with short, dark brown hair, dressed in tan slacks and dress shirt, and a loose-fitting white jacket.

"Hey cuz! What's happening?" the man said in a loud, booming voice, a big grin on his face.

"Barry? Is that you?" Kevin asked in surprise.

"It sure is! How long's it been? Five or six years?"

"I think it's been closer to seven," Kevin said, stepping out of the way. "Come on in."

Barry entered the house. Kevin closed the door and led his cousin into the kitchen.

"Hey Claudia, look who's here. You remember my cousin Barry?"

Claudia turned from the kitchen counter where she had been slicing up potatoes for dinner.

"Of course. It's good to see you, Barry."

"You, too," Barry said, giving Claudia a hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"I hope you haven't eaten yet," Claudia said. "I was just about to start dinner."

"As a matter of fact, I haven't. And I'm starving, so I was really hoping for an invite."

"Of course. You're more than welcome. Why don't you and Kevin go out in the living room and catch up? Dinner should be ready in about a half hour."

"Sounds good to me," Barry said.

"Come on, I'll fix us a drink," Kevin said.

Kevin and Barry went into the living room. Barry relaxed on the couch, while Kevin went to the liquor cabinet.

"What can I get you?"

"Got any vodka?" Barry asked.

......(cont)