“Can we stop?” Riley asked. She wanted to see the winery mostly as background. She wanted more than a mental picture of the world Ana knew.
Ana seemed hesitant but turned the car off the main road and headed toward a beige stucco building with a red tile roof. She pulled into the parking lot. “Maybe this will be fun.” She paused. “I haven’t taken anyone on a tour before that wasn’t all about the business.”
“You don’t have to give me a tour. I just want to look around your world.”
“My world?” Ana shook her head. “I wouldn’t call it that. Anyway, I think you’ll like it. We’ll go to the tasting cellar first, then we can wander around the garden. Nothing will be in bloom, but they have the best collection of gaudy sculptures that I’ve ever seen. It’s impressive, really.”
The stucco building housed a restaurant and a banquet hall. It wasn’t clear where the wine was processed, but Riley guessed most of this happened off-site. The real estate in Napa was premium and most of every bit of space was dressed in grape vines or gilded for tourism. They passed the stucco building and walked through a courtyard which had a large statue in the center of a horse bending his head to an angel. It was just as gaudy as Ana had warned it would be.
Riley half expected to see Tom strolling about and looking exactly as she remembered him from the scene in the flooded mountain winery so many months ago. Instead, as they entered the tasting cellar, they ran into Madam Bea. Bea greeted Ana with a cool smile and made no hint at ever having met Riley. Ana even introduced Riley again, this time saying only that she was a friend visiting from Denver. Bea shook her hand with practiced civility. Riley noticed that the three people working the tasting room all paid close attention to where Madam Bea was at all times and what she was saying. It was clear Bea had her mask on in front of them.
Riley didn’t like any of the wines they served but pointed to the most tolerable one when Bea inquired which one she liked. They were sent out with a bottle of this one, and Bea refused to let them pay. Riley tipped the server and they headed back outside, with Riley finally feeling at ease once they were back in the daylight. The feeling didn’t last long. Tom was standing outside the cellar, talking with an older man. Riley glanced over at Ana to see her reaction. She was as cool as Bea had been earlier when he raised his hand in greeting, shook hands with the older man and headed toward them.
“Tom, good to see you,” Ana said. “Riley, this is Tom,” she continued, introducing them with poise.
Tom shook Riley’s hand, smiling like a salesman all the while, his expression obviously forced. His hands were cool, but sweaty.
“So, Riley…I’ve heard a lot about you. I didn’t think I would get a chance to meet you. It’s a pleasure.”
Riley nodded. “Mine as well.” She had little idea what Ana had told Tom. She glanced at Ana for a hint, but Ana’s gaze was focused on Tom. She was on her own. “You know, I haven’t heard all that much about you, come to think of it. I basically only know you like expensive cars and big TV screens.”
He laughed loud enough to attract the attention of a couple heading in to the tasting cellar. Tom raised a hand when they looked back at him. “In fact, I was over at Ana’s yesterday watching the game. You two must have been out. How do you like the screen?”
“It’s a little big. But I’d bet football tackles look pretty good in high def on a screen that size. You can probably see the ACLs tear.”
“We’ll have to watch a game sometime and you can tell me what you think.”
“Yeah, that wouldn’t be awkward,” Ana said quietly.
Tom’s forced smile disappeared at Ana’s words. He eyed her for a moment and then turned back to Riley. “Are you a Broncos fan?”
“No. Seahawks.”
“Really? I bet that goes over well in Denver.” Tom chuckled. “Do you have dinner plans?” He motioned to the entrance to the restaurant to the left of the tasting cellar. “I think Ernie can be convinced to squeeze in two attractive women. I can have a word with him if you’d like. You really haven’t had a fine meal until you’ve tasted a four-star chef’s creations. Ernie is something else.”
Riley noticed Ana’s flinch. It was subtle but nonetheless present. When she didn’t answer Tom right off, Riley said, “Thank you, but we already have plans for tonight, I think.”
Tom looked at Ana and said, “Of course. It’s last minute and a holiday weekend anyway. Ernie would probably strangle me for even asking.” He pointed at the bottle of wine in Riley’s hand. “Enjoy. That pinot is one of my favorites.”
Once Tom had left, Ana let out a long sigh. “I don’t know if I’m still up for the garden. Maybe we should get out of here before we run into anyone else.”
“Who else are you worried about?”
Ana shook her head.
Riley pointed to the angel and horse statue. “If this is any indication, I don’t think I should miss the garden.”
Ana didn’t smile. Her face was as unrevealing as Madam Bea’s had been earlier. She led the way through the courtyard and past two small stone buildings, opened a wrought-iron gate and stepped down onto a strip of grass lining a wall of green bushes. The bushes were at least seven feet tall and too thick to see through. They followed the grass path, which weaved between the bushes and opened up every twenty feet or so to display another statue. Before long, it became clear that the garden had been laid out in a maze-like pattern. Even with dormant roses and pots holding only green foliage, it was a beautiful spot.
After a few minutes, Ana’s pace slowed. Riley reached for her hand. They paused in front of a koi pond with a large leaping frog statue towering over the water. Orange and white fish circled in the shallow water. Riley dipped her hand in the pond. One of the fish came up to the surface, as if testing her fingers for food, then darted away as quickly as it had appeared. Riley sat down on the stone blocks framing the pond. Ana had her arms crossed and was staring at the bushes as if she could see right through to the other side of the maze.
“I told him you were coming. We talked on the phone after Christmas. I felt I should tell him so he didn’t drop by the house unexpectedly. He was supposed to be in LA this week. I guess his plans changed.”
“Running into him this time was way easier than last. I had this idea that he was much better looking. Now he just seems rich and well-dressed.”
Ana came over to the koi pond and stared at the water. “I think he wanted to meet you. He still thinks we are just going through a rough patch, no matter how many times I tell him it’s over. He was sizing you up. He is so damn competitive that he won’t accept that I decided when we were done.”
“It’s nice to feel like I’m not the only one with baggage.”
Ana smiled, but her eyes were still focused on the fish. “We do have dinner plans tonight. I called Ernie yesterday, and he arranged a table for us.”
“What are the chances that we’ll run into Tom?”
“Slim. Unless he finds out we’re on the reservation list.” Ana shrugged. “I can’t believe he came to my house yesterday, and yet, I can. He just can’t accept that it’s time to quit. Now I’m really glad we went on that hike.” She rested her hand on Riley’s. “I swear things are over with Tom and me, even if he isn’t acting that way.”
Riley laughed. “Damn, haven’t I heard that line before.”
“Don’t compare me, Riley.”
Riley stood up, inches from Ana’s lips. “I couldn’t. But I have heard that line.”
“Fine. I’ll watch my step in that territory.” Ana clasped Riley’s hand. “Come on, we haven’t even gotten to the best statues yet. They’ve got a replica of Michelangelo’s David next to a pair of mating squirrels that are quite unforgettable.”
The only time Ernie was able to work them into the reservation list was at the last seating. They finally were seated at a table at a quarter to nine. Riley was light-headed from the wine they’d consumed while waiting and let Ana order. A loaf of freshly baked sourdough arrived first a
nd Riley ate two slices. Ana had been quiet since their walk in the garden. Riley hadn’t been able to shake the newly refreshed doubts she had about Ana having really ended things with Tom. After the food arrived, Riley felt less tongue-tied.
“This place is nice. Not at all like the dark tasting cellar with metal chairs.”
“I tried to convince them to get rid of those chairs a long time ago.”
Ana had finished her pasta dish and leaned back in her chair. She sipped her wine. “Don’t tell Ernie, but my favorite thing here is the bread. They make it every morning and I love the smell of it baking. I’ve gotten Ernie to give me a loaf on more than one occasion.”
Riley finished the last bite on her plate as a man wearing a chef’s apron came up to their table. He nodded at Ana and held out his hand to Riley. “Thank you so much for coming this evening. I hope you enjoyed your meal.”
Riley knew without asking that he was Ernie. Ana smiled comfortably at him and showed none of the tension that had been evident when Tom had appeared.
“The halibut was delicious. So was everything, in fact. Especially the bread.”
“Everyone always mentions the bread. That’s one of my grandmother’s recipes.” Ernie smiled. “But the halibut is all mine.” He turned to Ana. “A pleasure seeing you, as always. And don’t worry about calling at the last minute. You know I can almost always work in another table. For you, anyway.”
Much as Riley was happy things hadn’t worked out for him and Ana, she did feel a bit sorry for Ernie when she saw the tender look he gave Ana before heading back to the kitchen. He even stole a glance back at their table as he pushed through the double doors.
* * *
Sunday morning arrived too soon. Riley awoke early and made breakfast for them both. She’d gone to the grocery store the night before and bought ingredients for omelets and rolls. Ana came down to the kitchen as Riley was pulling the rolls out of the oven.
“It smells amazing in here,” Ana said, wrapping her arms around Riley.
“So, as I was cooking, I realized the stiff competition I’m up against. No comparing my food to your master chef ex, all right?”
“Riley, I burn toast. That’s the competition you are up against.”
Riley set the omelets on the table and put the rolls on a plate. She’d searched for a bread basket but finally came to the conclusion that Ana didn’t own one. She had little besides a set of four plates, bowls, utensils, three coffee mugs and two wineglasses.
Ana took a bite of the omelet and nodded approvingly. She ate several more bites and then reached for a roll. “I looked up the details for my Atlanta trip. I had a four-hour layover in Denver, but I’m going to reschedule the second leg so we have the evening together. I’ll arrive at noon in Denver and fly out to Atlanta at six a.m. the next morning. I don’t need to be in Atlanta until that afternoon anyway. I’ll text you the dates and times and everything.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
Ana looked up from her plate. She set her fork down and reached for the coffee. “Wow, that was really unconvincing. You do still want to meet up in three weeks, don’t you?”
Riley stopped eating. “I do. But I’d rather have a date next Thursday and maybe Saturday night too.”
Ana sipped the coffee. “You make better coffee than I do.”
“I like you.”
“But you’re not sure you are up for this? For long distance?”
“I don’t have much choice, do I?”
By the time they had finished breakfast, the airport shuttle driver was waiting outside. Riley kissed Ana goodbye at the front doorstep. The driver looked impatient and kept the engine running.
Part Four
Denver, Colorado
(A Year Earlier)
“It’s almost nine,” Lisa said without getting up from her spot on the sofa. The canned laughter of the sitcom she was watching followed her words.
“Yeah, I had a couple home visits this evening.” Riley kicked off her shoes. She went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. A nearly empty milk jug was on the top shelf. Chinese takeout leftovers from two weeks ago were on the middle shelf. One egg remained in the carton. Riley found what was left of the block of cheddar and grabbed a handful of spinach. Lisa never ate vegetables so she never ran out of those. She stared at the back of Lisa’s head as she made an omelet. “I’m sorry I’m home late. Are you upset about something?”
Lisa’s head shook.
The fact that she hadn’t answered was a clear signal that something definitely was wrong. “You can talk to your mom about my schedule. She’s the one who has me booked twelve hours straight.” Riley flipped her omelet onto a plate and fished a fork out of the dishwasher. She never had time to put the dishes away and was hard-pressed to say if the dishes in the washer were clean or dirty. She rinsed the fork off and dried it on her shirt.
Lisa made room for her on the couch but didn’t look away from the TV screen. The sitcom was nearly over. Riley stared at the fireplace next to the television. It was a gas log fireplace and easy enough to turn on, but getting up and flipping the switch seemed like too much hassle. The television would take away any of the relaxing atmosphere the thin blue flame could possibly create anyway. She hated having the television in the same room as the fireplace, but Lisa wanted it enough that they had compromised. Riley kept a dark brown shawl that her mother had sent her and that she never would wear as a throw to cover the screen whenever it was off.
“Christmas is in less than a month. Are you planning on keeping up this schedule through the holidays?”
“I’m planning on going home to Seattle for a few days, but I don’t think that’s what you are asking about. Why are you suddenly upset about my schedule? It’s been this way for a year.”
“I don’t understand why you have to do the home visits anyway. You know you could make more money and have better hours if you worked at the hospital. My mom would understand.”
“Would she?” Riley shook her head. “I doubt it. Besides, I like long-term clients.”
“But you work harder and make less money.”
“I don’t mind.” Riley finished the omelet and set the plate on the coffee table. “I like the follow-up. If I worked at the hospital, I’d see them for maybe two or three times and then they’d get a little better and get booted home. And I’d be on to the next patient.”
“You’d have more time at home,” Lisa countered.
“So I could watch another hour of bad sitcoms?”
Lisa turned off the TV and stood up abruptly. “Do you even like spending time with me, Riley?”
Riley realized her mistake too late. The bathroom door slammed shut. Lisa had the habit of going pee before she wanted to have any serious conversation. Riley went over to the fireplace and flipped on the gas. She listened for the familiar hiss of gas and then the three clicks that preceded the first weak blue flame. With a snap, the entire thing blazed in an orgy of red and orange-white licking flames. Riley sat back down, waiting for Lisa. She emerged a few minutes later, but she walked right past Riley without a word.
Riley considered following her upstairs but stared at the fire instead. In the time that they’d been together, she had learned the price of delaying this conversation. But she was too tired tonight to play the game. After a while, she went to get the pile of mail from the kitchen table and sorted through it. She found a credit card bill nearing the past due date and went to get her checkbook and pen.
Lisa met her on the stairs. “Are you coming to bed?”
“Not yet. I’m paying bills.” Riley walked past Lisa’s spot on the middle landing and went to the office that had become Lisa’s de facto room. It had a twin-size bed that was never slept in and a desk with a computer and printer setup, the place where papers were dumped that needed filing but instead landed in more or less one big pile. Lisa had filled the closet with her clothes and shoes. Lisa had more pairs of shoes that were never worn than Riley thought normal, but she
had yet to ask her about this.
More importantly, Lisa wasn’t supposed to have moved her things into the room at all. They had agreed to retain some autonomy by living in different houses and seeing each other on set days or planned dates. Lisa had even suggested this. But not long after moving to Denver, her things began piling up in Riley’s room and later the guest room. She was at Riley’s house every night.
Riley found her checkbook and headed back downstairs. Lisa was sitting cross-legged in front of the fire. She had torn out several pages from a Lands End catalog and crumpled them into a pile. She held one of the pages to the flames until it singed and caught fire. When the flame reached her fingers, she dunked the paper remnant into her glass of water and waited while it sizzled.
“What do you have against Lands End?” Riley joked. “They make pretty decent coats.”
“We haven’t had dinner together in two weeks.”
“Yeah, we’ve been busy.” Riley attached the stamp to the envelope and filled out the check as Lisa lit another page on fire. “Let’s set up a time for a date night.”
“People with kids have date nights. We shouldn’t have to schedule it.”
“You’ve been working swing on the weekends and I work late. What difference does it make if we plan a date or do it spontaneously?”
“Jen’s in town.”
Riley felt her breath catch in her throat. “Well, that’s spontaneous, I guess. Why is she in Denver?”
“I’m telling you now so you don’t get mad later. I want you to know I’m being honest with you.” Lisa rolled up the last few pages into one ball and tossed it into the fire. It caught within seconds and burned brightly for a minute or two. “We’re having dinner tomorrow night. She flies back to Sacramento on Sunday.”
“Why is she here?” Riley repeated.
“She’s interviewing at the hospital.”
“Why is she interviewing in Denver? Oh, yeah, because the ex she still has feelings for lives here.”
“It isn’t like that. I mean, she…Yeah, well, probably I have something to do with her considering it. We’re still friends.”
Sweet, Sweet Wine Page 17