The air in Independence, Missouri, is crisp with the fulfilled promise of fall. White smoke streams from the cracks in the smoker, disappearing into the clear blue of the sky against yellowing leaves. Meat drips as it browns; my father-in-law’s decades of experience and intuition combining with hickory smoke to make the perfect kabob. Welcome home, the smoke says.

Welcome back to Kansas City.

Independence, Missouri / evening / off the grid