Kitchen Passage

Mobilized in the hallway, my older brothers and I heard rapid-fire ice clinking and a constant barrage of uproarious laughter. Cigarette smoke clogged the air and impaired our visibility. We moved deeper into party territory. Our mission: To capture party food and drink without talking to any adults. This was a hazardous operation, which required crossing the treacherous tiled foyer. The only passage into the kitchen, this entryway was adjacent to a living room overrun with party guests. In final attack position, we awaited Johnny’s order to commence the ground offensive. Though the risks were considerable, it was the spoils—mixed nuts, chips, Coke, and 7-Up—that beckoned us forward.