It was morning already here in Arlen, Texas
Dale Gribble found himself awake all night with all of his thoughts. He heard some steps approaching. Dale quickly closed his eyes.

"Yuh awake man?" Boomhauer asked. Dale pretend to slowly open his eyes. "Yeah.. I'm awake now." Dale lied. "Dat's good, get ready fer dang breakfast man." Boomhauer said as he brought Dale in the kitchen. "Hey let me cook. I know some recipes." Dale said.

"Y'cook man?" Boomhauer asked in a surprised tone. "I mean you did have my cookies right?" Dale said as he got the ingredients out. "Oh that's perfect Boomhauer! You got the ingredients I needed. How strange..." Dale said. Dale let it go and began to cook. It was some time but breakfast was finally made.

"Boomhauer! Breakfast's ready!" Dale said
"Dang ol coming man" Boomhauer said as he got up from his sofa. When Boomhauer got in the kitchen, he did not expect the table having delicious looking items there. "Wow man!" Boomhauer said . "Like what you see? Help yourself out." Dale said as he served himself little portions.

On the table were bacon egg cheese sandwiches, and biscuits. "Dang! how did y'know t'make these man?" Boomhauer asked. "When me and my dad patched things, he taught me some of these. Except the biscuits, that's my own." Dale answered. Boomhauer decided to try some of the food. "this is gotdang great man!" Boomhauer said as he started digging in. "Glad you like it." Dale said.

"You're that good man! Y'should tell t'dang ol gang bout this man!" Boonhauer said as his face is stuffed with food. "No no no. I don't want Bill coming after me and stalking me when he hears that." Dale said. "Dang ol hope y'know how t'make ol lunch and ol dinner man." Boomhauer said as he finished his plate.

"I believe my dad thought me some recipes, I'll try them out" dale said as he got up. "where y'going man?" Boomhauer asked. "To see Joseph. Then I'll go exterminating to clear my mind. I'll see you later boomhauer." Dale said as he put on his cap and shades, and exited the house.

Dale looked at the house which he formerly lived in as of now. He sighed as he knocked on the door. Nancy opened the door. "Shug? Are you okay? Do you want to talk?" Nancy asked in a pleading tone. "I want nothing to do with you. I want to see Joseph." Dale said bitterly. Nancy was upset, but nodded and let Dale in. Dale went upstairs and knocked on Joseph's door.

"Go away mom." Joseph said. "It's me Joseph." Dale said. Joseph quickly opened the door and he really was there. "Dad!" Jospeh said as he hugged him. "You were gone for 2 days! Are you okay?!" Jospeh asked. "I'm hurt son, but I'm trying to pull through." Dale said. "I just wanted to check up on you. I'm sorry I left suddenly without seeing you first." Dale said as he felt guilt. "Dad don't apologize, I'm sorry this is the way you found out." Joseph said sadly. Dale and Joseph sat together for some time.

"So you're living with Boomhauer?" Jospeh asked.  "Yep. Now that you're all checked up on, I'm going exterminating, wanna join me son?" Dale asked. "I'd be more happy to join you dad." Joseph has said with a smile.
Dale smiled back. "You'll need to help me pack, I'm not coming here for a while." Dale said sadly.

"I wanna come with you dad!" Joseph said
"Now now Jospeh, she's your mother, don't make her lonely." Dale said. "Fine... for you I'll stay at her's." Joseph said bitterly. "Thank you son." Dale said as he patted his back. Dale only packed some clothes, his guns, exterminating items, and his books. He knew Boomhauer wouldn't be fine with having this stuff in his home. Dale decided he'll put it in his truck

"Joseph, shug where are you going?" Nancy asked. I'm going with dad." Joseph said bitterly
"Oh have fun shug!" Nancy said. Joseph didn't respond back, and left with Dale.

Dale and Jospeh spent a lot of time with each other at his job. He made sure Jospeh wore all the safety equipment so no poison could enter him. They even had some food together at a diner. Dale looked at his watch, it's 1:00pm now. "Oh shoot, I should head into boomhauer's now, I did say I'd make lunch."
"You make food?" Joseph asked. "Well you did have my biscuits, and besides, when your mother is at her full time job, I provide the food." Dale said. Joseph nodded in response.

As they were on their way, Dale decided to stop at MegaloMart to get a few ingredients. "Alright son, here's what we need.." Dale paused as he got his list out. "Ah, okay, we need some Worcestershire sauce, some hickory seasoning, some mushrooms, ham, and some cheddar cheese for the first recipe." Joseph nodded in response. "Eh, I wonder if there's food made out of cigarettes.. I'll ask dad that." Dale said intrigued.

After they got ingredients they headed for Boomhauer's. "Boomhauer, open the door, me and Joseph are here!" Dale yelled. "Coming man." Boomhauer said. Some minutes later he opened the door. "What y'got in t'dang bag man?" Boomhauer asked. "Lunch." Dale answered as he went towards the kitchen.

"Dang ol Jospeh it's great t'see y'man." Boomhauer said as he gestured Jospeh to come in. "It's great to see you again Boomhauer. Dad's got something really good cookin in the kitchen." Joseph said

"Hank!" Let me borrow your grill!" Dale said as he was peering out of the fence. "Dang it Dale can't you see I'm busy here?" Hank said as he was building a birdhouse. "I need to make some Texas burgers and I need to use propane!" Dale said. Hank lighted up when he heard propane. "Fine... this better be worth it I tell you what." Hank said as he resumed his work.

Dale put the patties in and grilled them for some time. This is second time making this recipe. He always cooked for Joseph as Nancy had a full time job. He just wanted to make sure Joseph was well provided.

The patties were done. Dale went back to place the patties on the buns. "Okay, we're almost done here, let's just put these ingredients then it's time for a good ol smoke break." He said as stacked the toppings. Dale finally finished the Texas burgers. He made 5 since it's just him, Boomhauer, and Joseph.

Dale placed them food on the table and took a smoke break. After taking a puff, he called Boomhauer and Jospeh over to have the food
"Dang! looks great Gribble man." Boomhauer said as he got ready to devour one. "Yeah dad! Man, I wish mom knew how to cook this good!" Joseph said as he drooled. "Ol Gribble? better than ol Nancy?" Boomhauer asked. "Yeah, turns out when mom would go to her job, dad would stay behind to clean and cook food when he's not exterminating." Joseph said as he took a bite of the burger. Boomhauer looked at Dale with admiration. He's done so much for Joseph, despite his situation.

"Oh man! This is amazing!" Joseph said
Dale smiled at Joseph. Dale peered at the window and saw Hank and Bill outside the alley.

"Yep." Hank said
"Yep." Bill said
"Mhmm" Boomhauer said as he joined them
"Yep." Dale said as he held a plate of burgers
"That smells great Dale! Mind if I take one?" Bill asked. "Only one." Dale said. "These are t'best dang burgers I had in m'whole dang life man." Boomhauer said. Hank raised his eyebrow. "Really?" Hank said as he took a burger.

Boomhauer was right, these were the best burgers ever. "Mm! These are best burgers I tell you what." Hank said. "Yeah! Where'd you get these from Dale?" Bill asked. "A new restaurant that I found yesterday with Boomhauer." Dale said. "But weren't you using my grill?" Hank asked. "Yeah, to throw those awful propane grilled patties at someone." Dale said as he ran. "Dammit Dale I'm gonna kick your ass!" Hank yelled as he chased him.