Page 5 of Pour Timing

“Never. I’m your mother. It’s what we do.”

I shake my head. “I’m fine.”

“I don’t want you to be alone, Matt. You’re too young. One bad apple shouldn’t ruin it for the rest of your life.”

I let out a breath. “Dating is the last thing I want to do right now. I have to focus on Liam, the winery. There’s no time for all the bullshit that comes along with getting to know someone.”

“What if you already know them?” I turn to her. She sips from her coffee looking out across the bay and I laugh. She looks like that Kermit the Frog meme about minding her own business. When, in fact, she makes everything her business.

“Whatever you’re trying to do, don’t.” I stand and she smirks. “Thanks for staying with Liam. You know where to find me.” I bend down, giving her a kiss on the cheek before walking back into my kitchen and putting the coffee mug in the sink. I grab my keys and get ready to meet this new adventure head on.

* * *

Pulling up to the winery, I chuckle to myself as I see the sign that readsGrape Expectations. “Uncle Paul, you were so corny.”

I’m immediately struck by the realization that the place doesn’t look as big as it did when I was a kid coming here. And it doesn’t look like as much of a party hall as it did when I was a teenager. Right now it just looks like a burden. It looks like it needs a lot of work and it looks like I’m going to die here in Starlight Bay.

I get out of my truck and grab the keys that were slid to me at the estate signing. The front porch squeaks as I step on it, but it’s sturdy so at least I won’t have to replace it. I tug on the beams, which feel solid, and besides the windows needing some cleaning, the outside seems in good shape. I unlock the door and it swings open. The sunlight pours in behind me, accentuating the giant open room in front of me. I take a deep breath and step through. It still smells just like I remember: a touch of vinegar, stale cigar smoke, and fermented grapes, but nostalgia is the strongest scent here.

I’m instantly taken back to the summer before my senior year. My family was celebrating my parents' twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and my uncle closed the place down for just our family and friends. It was late August and I had two-a-day practices for football at that point. I was looking forward to the beginning of my last season here at Starlight Bay High. I showed up late but I'll never forget walking through the hall and out to the back yard. The white lights strung from pole to pole accentuated the large flowerpot arrangements at the corners of the wooden patio. The DJ was playing dance music, and I watched as Kylie and my mom spun each other around on the makeshift dance floor. They were the center of attention and were the most gorgeous women in the place. My dad walked up next to me and clapped me on the back. “Are you getting a glimpse ofyourtwenty-fifth anniversary?” For a split second I imagined that was what my own wedding would look like. My mom and my wife, having the time of their lives. While Dad and I looked on, knowing we were the luckiest guys around.

Instead, my wedding day was at the courthouse, with only me, my pregnant ex-wife, and her sister as witness. Liam was definitely a surprise, but one of the best of my life. I didn’t realize how much I wanted to be a dad until it was presented to me. And if I had allowed Gina to continue running our life only based on how we advanced in our jobs, I would have missed out.

I move around the room, pulling chairs down from the tables. The place looks good, clean, and fully stocked. Mom said my dad and the staff basically ran the winery when Uncle Paul was sick. Of course, no one in town realized any difference because he still showed up most days, he just didn’t stay for twelve-hour shifts anymore, and occasionally he’d skip days altogether. I guess if anyone had really thought about it, they’d have realized it was strange for him not to be here. But when you’re so involved in the day-to-day, I guess no one had time to register that anything was wrong, they just enjoyed being here at the winery. So despite everything he was going through, he continued to give the town what they wanted.

I walk around the bar, stepping onto the mats behind it. I run my hand along the bottles and say out loud, “Oh, Uncle Paul, what were you thinking?”

A voice from behind startles me. “I’m sure he was thinking his favorite nephew can’t get by on good looks and charm alone.”

That voice. I throw a glance over my shoulder and Kylie Johnson is standing in the doorframe, the sun shining in behind her, making it seem like she’s an apparition.

“Kylie.”

“Hey, Matt.” I stare at her for a moment too long, remembering everything good about us together. It plays like a video on fast-forward in my mind right up until the point we said goodbye, somehow knowing, but not wanting to admit, it would probably be the last time we saw each other.

She’s even more beautiful than I remember. Golden brown hair that hangs over her shoulders, cutoff jean shorts that show off her legs, and a t-shirt that shouldn't be sexy, but is. Everything aboutmygirl next door screams she’s innocent, but I know she’s anything but. She steps forward until she’s able to lean on the bar top. I stand still, watching her approach, one hand on my hip and the other holding tight onto the bar like I need grounding.

“I just heard you were back in town. How are you? It’s been a long time.”

I clear my throat and try to speak. I don’t know why I’m having such an issue right now.

Come on, yes you do, this is Kylie.

“I’m good. Probably just as surprised as everyone else that I'm here.” I laugh to myself. “It’s definitely not where I thought I would end up.”

She tilts her head slightly. “I was surprised to hear you were the new owner here, especially since I never thought you’d come back to Starlight Bay. I guess your Uncle Paul made sure you made it home.”

I shrug. “He never liked that I moved away to begin with.” I switch my stance, never letting go of her stare and also never letting go of the bar. I feel extremely off kilter right now. “Never thought he’d make me run the place though.” I chuckle and shake my head. “Also never thought I’d be divorced and a single father either.”

Jesus, what is wrong with me? Why am I word-vomiting right now?

She tilts her head the other way now, a small smile turning her lips. “I heard you had a son. Is he here with you?”

“He is. It’s just us. His mother moved across the country, taking the job that was more important than us,” I say it bitterly and with more anger than I want. Something crosses her face, and I’m sure she’s thinking back to my choosing football over coming home to Starlight Bay, and coming home to her.

“I’m sorry for that, but I’m glad to see you back here. What better place to raise him than where you grew up.” I relax a bit at her words. It feels like she’s giving me permission to have failed and come home.

“It was pretty great here, wasn’t it?” We continue to hold each other's eyes. “Especially the time spent here.” I knock on the bar top and clear my throat again, shuffling my feet before I round the bar. I flip on more lights that illuminate the rest of the hall. “I’m sorry, Ma did raise me with manners, it's just, seeing you is kind of taking me by surprise.” She smiles as I walk close and pull her into a hug. She lays her head on my chest, her arms circling my waist, and we hold on for a moment longer than old friends should.

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