Citrus Sunshine Punch

Brianna's week. The grass came back in the yard. Time to fix the BBQ pad. Plant had a quality issue Wednesday. Caught it. Antoine and I rebuilt fourteen Jeeps in three hours. Earned the team a pizza party.

Pop's in the recliner. Tigers on. Sugar in range this week. Sunday at Mama's. She made greens with hambone the way she has since 1985.

Smothered turkey wings Sunday. Slow braised in onion gravy.

Aiden's 10. The youth basketball league. I'm coaching. He's the best player on the team and he knows it. Zaria's 8. Helps me cook on a step stool. Has opinions about the seasoning.

The week held. The kitchen held. The chain holds.

The custody calendar holds. Aiden and Zaria alternate weeks. Brianna and I co-parent without drama now. We do not always have to like each other to do this right.

The block had a small drama Tuesday. Somebody parked in front of Ms. Diane's driveway. Ms. Diane addressed it directly. The car moved within the hour. The neighborhood polices itself on small things.

Plant ran clean this week. The line ran. The body held. The paycheck is the paycheck.

A catering inquiry came in this week — fifty-person family reunion. Booked. Saturday after next.

The grass came in fast this week. Cut it Saturday morning before the heat. The mower had been sitting all winter. Took three pulls to start. Once it ran, it ran. Some things just need patience.

A neighbor down the street gave me a tomato plant Saturday. He grows them on his porch. Said he had extra. I put it next to the back step where it gets the afternoon sun. Detroit gardens are improvised victories.

The basketball court at the rec center got refurbished. New floor. Plays different. Bouncy. I shot a few from the elbow before practice Wednesday. The knee held. The shot fell short.

The Lions on TV Sunday. Lost on a missed field goal. Detroit. The neighborhood collectively groaned at the same moment. You could hear it through the windows.

The drive home Friday was the long way around. I took Outer Drive past the lake. The water was still. I do not always notice the water. I noticed Friday.

I took a walk around the block Sunday morning. The neighborhood was quiet. The trees were the trees. The light was good. I waved at three porches. The porches waved back. Brookline holds.

Watched the Tigers Sunday afternoon. Lost in extras. Detroit reflex. I yelled at the TV the way Pop used to yell at the TV. The TV did not respond. The bullpen will probably not respond either.

Mr. Williams across the street had a heart scare. He is okay. We are all watching each other now. I took him a plate of greens and chicken Wednesday. He said, "DeShawn. You're a good neighbor." I said, "We're even, Mr. Williams. You shoveled my walk in 2024." He laughed.

Mama left me a voicemail Wednesday. She said, "DeShawn. Don't forget Sunday." I had not forgotten Sunday. I have not forgotten Sunday in twenty years. The reminder is the love. I called her back.

Pop sat in the recliner Sunday. He fell asleep before the third quarter. We covered him with a blanket.

Drove past Jefferson North on Tuesday. The plant is still the plant. The trucks coming out. I waved at the gate guard out of habit. He waved back even though he didn't know me. The plant is its own neighborhood.

I read for an hour Sunday night. A book about the auto industry. Half memoir, half history. Made me think about Pop and the line and the fragile contract that built the middle of this country. I underlined the parts that hit.

When that catering inquiry came in — fifty people, family reunion, Saturday after next — my mind went straight to the table: what’s cold, what’s crowd-proof, what can I make ahead without thinking too hard after a full plant week. The smothered wings are the anchor, but you need something in a bowl that keeps people happy while the food comes together. This citrus punch has been on my reunion table more than once. Zaria likes to stir it. That alone makes it the right call.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 20

Ingredients

1 can (12 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 can (6 oz) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
2 liters ginger ale, chilled
2 liters lemon-lime soda, chilled
1 cup pineapple juice, chilled
1 orange, thinly sliced (for garnish)
1 lemon, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Ice ring or ice cubes, as needed

Instructions

Mix the concentrates. In a large punch bowl, combine the thawed orange juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate, limeade concentrate, and pineapple juice. Stir until fully blended.
Add the sodas. Just before serving, slowly pour in the ginger ale and lemon-lime soda along the side of the bowl to preserve the carbonation. Stir gently once or twice — do not over-mix.
Add ice. Place an ice ring or a generous amount of ice cubes into the punch bowl to keep it cold without diluting it too quickly. An ice ring made from frozen citrus slices and water works well if you have time to prep it the night before.
Garnish and serve. Float orange and lemon slices on top. Ladle into cups and serve immediately. Refill sodas as needed to maintain carbonation throughout the event.

Nutrition (per serving)

Citrus Sunshine Punch — Something Cold and Bright for the Reunion Table