Page 102 of Gone With the Wine

“But try the others!” Millie urges.

“Do I have to?” I whine. “I like this one.”

They exchange a look.

“Fine,” Ana says. “More time for cocktails at lunch.”

As I head to the counter to pay for the dress, Millie asks, “What do you have for shoes?”

“Uh…flip flops?”

Her head rears back and her eyes pop open. “No.”

“Shoes are in that corner.” The sales associate points with a smile. “I’ll hold the dress here.”

Great. Now I have to buy shoes, too.

Immediately Ana picks up a pair of sandals that are nothing but two tiny straps and a stiletto heel.

“I can’t walk in those,” I object. “Especially not in the yard. Those heels will sink into the ground.”

“Okay, you have a point. How about flat sandals?”

Millie finds a pair of slides crusted with pearls.

I study them doubtfully. “Those are pretty elaborate.”

“They’re cute.”

“I could use some new Birkenstocks.”

They look at me like I just said I want to go to the dinner naked.

I survey the shelves. “Oh, here. These.” I pick up a pair of tan sandals with thin leather straps. “I like these.”

“I guess they’ll do,” Millie says.

I peer at the price tag. “Jesus. We should have gone to Old Navy.”

They both crack up at that.

“I like Old Navy!” I protest.

“We know.” Millie pats my shoulder. “I like it too. But not for a date with a handsome hockey player.”

“It’s a business date.”

They both snort.

With my purchases bagged up, we emerge back outside to bright fall sunshine. “Okay, I’m starving,” I say. “Where to?”

“Riverside Grill,” Ana says. “This way.”

We elect to sit outside on the patio with a view of the river. It’s peaceful and pleasant and I let out a long sigh as I relax into my chair. “This is lovely.” I pick up the wine menu and peruse it.

“Order a bottle,” Millie says. “Whatever you like. We’ll share.”

I pick out a cabernet from Paso Robles and order a crab enchilada that sounds amazing.

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