Page 50 of Until Next Time
I walk behind the bar and start helping Savannah with some tasting pours.
“How ya doing, boss? You look like shit.”
“Ahh, charming as ever. Thank you Sav.” I say, uncorking a new bottle of our Sauvignon blanc.
Savannah reaches for the bottle as I get it uncorked. “No, seriously boss—you’re gonna scare the customers with your badvibes. I’ll take this.” She starts shooing me away. I roll my eyes, but oblige. I’ve got plenty of work that needs to be done in my office.
Christmas is going to be here before I know it and there’s inventory that needs to be finalized for the Merc as well as getting our online store for the winery fine tuned.
A couple of months ago, I had a journalist reach out to me because they were interested on doing a piece on Southbound. Our cult wines have sort of been making a name for themselves which is how that journalist heard of us in the first place. After a little digging she really loved our story. The roots and beginnings of this place and she said it was the perfect story for their December issue, so I agreed. I didn’t see why not.
The journalist as well as a photographer and assistant all showed up the next week for an interview. When I agreed to it I had sort of thought it was just a low key phone interview or something. Turns out—it was a much bigger deal and the publication that the journalist works for is actually one of the most well known lifestyle magazines in the country. And after our interview, she said she loved the story and the ‘spirit’ of Southbound so much, they are making it December’s cover story.
Had I known I was going to be on the cover of a magazine I would have put more thought into my answers and appearance. So, that was a fun surprise. (Not.)
With the issue rolling out in the next week or so, I figured it’d be smart to make sure our website is ready for any increased traffic and sales. Just in case.
I’m responding to emails when I hear a knock on my office door.
“It’s open!”
River walks in, almost like he’s out of breath.
“Sorry man, I have no idea what’s going on. She—“ A female voice cuts him off mid sentence, “…Sheis wondering what in the actual hell you did do to my best friend?” Casey storms in and practically shoves River out of the way so that she’s standing in front of my desk, peering down at me.
“Dude, I told her I was coming to help you and she went all psycho and took my keys and made me get in my own damn passenger seat and then she drove like a maniac to get here.”
“I wouldn’t have had to act like a ‘psycho’, which you so kindly put it, ifDawsenhere wasn’t a complete and total asshole to Birdie last night!” Casey says, hands flailing between River and I.
I stand up and make my way around my desk and lean against it, crossing my arms across my chest. I have no idea which direction to take here. Casey and River are just staring at me, waiting for me to say something. Probably waiting for me to defend myself. But I don’t.
“I know.”
“Oh, you knowwww, do you?!” Casey spits out.
“What’s wrong with Birdie?” River asks, his voice has turned into concern and his eyes grow cold on me.
“Well your little buddy here told Birdie that he thinks she’s really ‘something’ and that he wishes he—“ I cut off Casey because I can’t stand to hear this again from this perspective.
“Look, River. I’m sorry man, I’m seriously so ass backwards for not telling you this before. But, I’ve had a thing for Bird pretty much since the day I met her. I never said anything because I never planned on acting on it. Your friendship has meant so damn much to me, and I wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize it, ever. And I shouldn’t have said anything to her either, but I drank just enough and I got weak, man.” I do my best to explain without a good explanation. Or at least one that matters.
“Dawsen, my man, you’re not as mysterious as you think. I’ve known about your crush on my sister for years. You’ve always been way too interested in all the bizarre-o crap she’s into… and you stare a lot.” River says, relaxing himself against the door, like this has all been a big relief to him.
“Okay, Can you please explain to me why you pulled a whole bait and switch performance on her then? I don’t really understand the disconnect here, Dawsen.” Casey says, clearly irritated by this entire conversation.
“I won’t ever be what she deserves. I just can’t.” I pause, my voice cracks. “Trust me, I wish I could. God, I wish things were different. But they aren’t.” I admit, knowing they wouldn’t understand even if I told them the real reason. I rub my palm across my stubbled face.
Casey rolls her eyes, and stands up straight and walks to the door. She turns on her heel and looks me in the eyes. “Coward.” And then she leaves.
I can’t even argue. She’s right. Birdie’s right. A selfish coward who let a moment of weakness break everything open that I once had perfectly contained.
It’s just River and I. I can tell he wants to press me on the matter. But I know he can also tell I’m not in the mood, so instead he nods towards the hallway.
“Let’s get this equipment set up.”
And without another word about it, we do.
33
