Page 3 of Love Beyond the Illusion
I make my way down the hallway, assuming that one of the staff members will be around somewhere, before I finally reach the downstairs guest bedroom. I look at the cream-colored wallpaper, extra-large bed, and Wine Country-themed wall decor and decide against it. I can’t stay here. No fucking way.
I’m startled by the distant clunking sound of dishes in the kitchen.I guess someone is home.
I head back through the hallway toward the noise that ricochets off the vaulted ceilings. Rounding the corner, I see Gemma. She has her back to me as she’s hanging pots and pans over one of the two islands.
“Hello, Gemma.”
“Jack!” she yelps. “You scared me, honey!”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” I laugh, extending my arm for a friendly hug.
Her eyes light up as she smiles at me. “It’s so good to see you! When did you get in?”
Gemma manages the tasting room kitchen, creating a special menu of snacks and small plates for the guests who visit the winery. She is also my family’s chef and has been with us since I was young.
“Just now.” I scan the backyard and pool from the kitchen’s panoramic windows. “Where’s my mother?”
Gemma grabs a towel from one of the drawers and wipes a puddle of water on the counter. “She’s down in the tasting room helping them clean up for the night.”
“Okay, thanks.” I grab an apple from the fruit bowl and bite into it.
“How are you holding up? I feel like we haven’t seen you since your dad’s funeral.”
“I’m just existing.” I dismiss, not wanting to talk about my dad. I tuck my hand under my arm and lean against the marble countertops. “How are you doing?”
“Well, it’s been hard on all of us, especially your mom.”
My gaze lowers to the floor. “I know.”
“But she is so strong and has an incredible support system here on the property. The entire staff has stepped up to help more,” she adds. She’s not trying to call me out for my absence after losing my father three months ago, but that’s how it feels. I could have been here more often, I know that. I haven’t been around much since I moved to Arizona for college.
“I’m sorry that I haven’t been here more,” I say.
“I know, but you’ve had a lot to take care of in Phoenix. You’re wrapping up everything with the marketing firm and getting your condo on the market.” She pats my shoulder with reassurance, but her eyes show disappointment.
My father unexpectedly passed away this summer. His loss was hard on my mom and me but also on the staff and community as well. It was easier to stay in Phoenix—far away from the stress and expectations—and away from the memories.
“Yeah, and I know she’s grateful for that. As I am.”
We’re both silent for a beat before Gemma tenderly squeezes my hand. “It’s about time for dusk. You should head to the west patio. I’ll bring you a glass of red wine and a snack plate,” she says before waving me off.
“Thank you.”
As I roll my luggage to the couch and walk to the glass doors, I hear my mom’s voice behind me when I reach out to clutch the handle.
“Jack!” she shouts before pulling me into a tight embrace. “I’ve missed you so much!”
I wrap my arms around my mother’s petite frame. “I’ve missed you too.”
Smiling, she draws her head back, holding my arms at a distance. “I’ll grab something for us to eat, then meet you out there,” she says before scurrying into the kitchen with Gemma.
I laugh to myself and these two women I’ve missed terribly, then settle into one of the chairs on the wooden patio. When my parents built this house, they added a balcony on all three stories to capture perfect views of the Wine Country sunset. The sky transforms from shades of coral to rose. Off to the side, the familiar rolling hills I’ve spent summer evenings running around as a child are lined with mature grape vines ready to be harvested.
A few minutes later, my mother joins me outside taking the seat to my left. She sets a snack plate and two glasses of red wine on the small table between our two chairs.
“How are you feeling?” she asks, grabbing a cracker.
I sigh. “The last couple of months have been a lot to process.”
