Destiny and a Bottle of Merlot

by Bria Marche

  Meg gasped while the rest of them tried to remember how to speak English.

  “Hey, coool,” another woman muttered, as she reached in Meg’s hair, plucked out the olives and popped them into her mouth.

  “You don’t need to know my name, but you better remember my face. Tell all your bitches that Josh Redmond is off the market. If I ever see any of you trying to put your skanky hands on him, I’ll bust your faces. Got it?”

  “Whatever, bitc…” Meg began, as she wiped the martini from her face with a napkin.

  Sasha leaned in, less than an inch from her ear. “What were you going to call me?”

  “Nothing. C’mon, let’s go.” The women helped each other stumble out of the bar and down the street to Bottoms Up.

  “That’s what I’m friggin talking about,” Vic yelled, as she grabbed Sasha and squeezed her.

  Tina gave Sasha a high five and fist bump as they began laughing their lungs out.

  “This one’s going down in the books, girl,” Vic said, as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “I love you, man. You do me proud.”

  Between the food, beer and laughter, the girls were at Morey’s until almost three o’clock.

  “I’ve noticed you guys have become a little more accepting of Josh lately,” Sasha said, happily.

  “We’ve all been on the wrong side of judgment. It hurts when you’ve been judged by someone, but it hurts almost as much when you have to admit you’ve wrongly judged someone else. I’ve been there, we all have. I’m speaking for myself, but Josh isn’t that bad. He’ll grow on us. It’s all good, babe,” Vic said.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sasha invited Mia over after she got home from Morey’s. The smirk on Mia’s face meant something was on her mind.

  “What’s with the look?” Sasha asked, as she warmed hot chocolate on the stove.

  “You’re tougher than I ever imagined.”

  Sasha stopped stirring and looked at Mia. Her raised eyebrows told Mia she didn’t understand.

  “The bitches at Morey’s?”

  “Oh my friggin God, you’ve talked to Vic already? That happened, what, an hour ago?” Sasha shook her head and laughed out loud. “I can’t believe her. She probably called you before she even got in the door of the salon, right?”

  “Of course. She did say she was walking back to work. Vic is very proud of you. It’s quite an achievement to get a compliment from her. I’m proud of you too. Sasha Renaud, aka, Martha Destiny, is one tough babe.”

  “Whatever. You guys must be rubbing off on me,” Sasha said, as she handed Mia a mug of cocoa, “Anyway, have you and Aaron talked about wedding dates yet?”

  “No, but I know where you’re going with this.” Mia got up and started rifling through the cabinets. “Don’t you have any cookies?”

  “Yeah, in the cookie jar on the counter. Double Stuff Oreos.”

  “Sweet… my favorite. You want to get Martha’s Vineyard ready for weddings in spring, right?”

  “Well, it will likely take until sometime in June before the grape ivy will start climbing the arbors and pergola. I mean, that’s the image we want to put out there. The wedding garden has to be secluded and private, engulfed in lush greenery. We could set up a room in the house, too. I should do that anyway. Someone’s wedding might fall on a rainy day. That would be horrible. Let’s walk while we talk.”

  Sasha and Mia walked through the expansive rooms of the Victorian. This new idea of Sasha’s made a lot of sense. She needed an indoor venue just as much as an outdoor one. That way, she could host weddings any time of year. The large library had a beautiful fireplace and Saltillo tile floors. Dark walnut paneling accented the built in bookshelves and cabinets that surrounded the fireplace. A converted gas, brass and crystal chandelier hung from the coffered ceiling. The room led to the back hallway next to the kitchen. There was also another beautiful staircase from the library that led to the second floor rooms.

  “The library would work really well as an indoor wedding venue,” Mia suggested. “Sure, it needs to be spruced up first. All the paneling would have to be cleaned and polished, but it’s a gorgeous room, and huge. The bride could enter by walking down the staircase, and the kitchen is right around the corner. To me, it’s your best option.”

  “I agree. Okay, so the library will be the room we need to focus on over the winter. And that leads me to a new question for you. Where would you rather have your wedding, indoors or outside?”

  “Definitely outside, with the library backup plan. I’ll talk to Aaron tonight. I don’t want to keep you from opening Martha’s Vineyard. Would a June wedding work?”

  “A June wedding would be perfect. We can get everything done outside as soon as the weather permits.”

  ***

  As the moving truck pulled out of the driveway, Karen did a final walk through of the house she had been living in for the last four years. She took a moment in each room, waiting for a smile or laugh to cross her lips. She hoped for some type of memory to play out in her head, but there wasn’t any. Good thing I don’t have any special memories of this place. It’s a nice house, and I enjoyed living here, but it’s just a house. Karen’s original plan was to remain there until it sold. Now that she purchased Mia’s place, there wasn’t a good reason to prolong her stay in Greenwich. Better to move now before the snow flies. It would be more convenient for a Realtor to show her house if it was empty anyway. Just living in Tarrytown near her friends would be a riot. She’d be in the mix of everything, even at a moment’s notice. Being spontaneous like the rest of the girls, would be fun. Karen loved everything about it. Okay, my car is completely full, the garage, basement and attic are empty. Every closet and cabinet is bare. I guess I’m good to go. It’s been a riot. Thank you house for putting up with me and Claire. I hope whoever buys you will treat you well, and enjoy living here.

  With one last look, Karen left the house in Greenwich, on her way to Tarrytown and her new life. Her new home, sparkling clean and freshly painted was waiting her arrival. Mia and Sasha would be there to help her unload the car and arrange the furniture when the movers arrived.

  They waited on the porch for Karen, bundled up, but still shaking. Mia blew on her hands to warm them, Sasha jumped up and down.

  “Oh yeah, I have a house key,” Mia laughed. She took back the spare she had given Aaron a few months ago, and it rested safely at the bottom of her pocket. “C’mon, let’s go inside, it’s freezing out here.”

  There was nothing to sit on other than the floor, but at least it was warm.

  “Damn it!”

  “What?”

  “I should have brought a thermos of coffee and cups. I’m going to run to Amelia’s and get three large coffees. Do you want a danish or a donut?”

  “Why don’t you just get a dozen mixed donuts? We might be here for hours,” Sasha suggested, rubbing her hand together.

  “Sure thing, Miss Piggy. I’ll be back in a flash.” Mia took off toward downtown.

  Sasha walked around the empty house while she waited for Karen to arrive. She didn’t really know Mia when Jack lived here, but the thought of him living with his wife in this house, made her heart ache. She walked into the master bedroom and looked at the outline embedding in the carpet in the center of the room. That’s where the bed sat. Here’s where you slept with Mia, when you weren’t sleeping with me. Even Jack’s name made her cringe. Sasha counted her blessings. He was out of her life, and Mia, of all people, was her dearest friend. She shook her head at the crazy life she led up to this point. From now, going forward, life is going to be perfect. It already is.

  Sasha bounded down the hallway when she heard the front door open. Karen, carrying boxes stacked on top of each other, teetered in the foyer.

  “Let me help you before everything falls.”

  “I was wondering where you guys went,” Karen said, with a breathless sigh.

  “Mia brought over the spare key Aaron had. It was too cold to wait outside. She we
nt for a coffee and donut run, but she’ll be back in a minute.”

  “Bless her heart. I guess we should keep everything out of the way so the movers can come through. Let’s stack bedroom stuff in the closets and kitchen stuff on the counters.”

  “Today will be fun, and you know what, sister?”

  “What’s that?” Karen asked.

  “I love you. Don’t tell Vic and Tina, because I love them too, but I love you and Mia the most.” Sasha’s eyes welled up, but she composed herself quickly. “Anyway, I’m so happy you moved to Tarrytown. Life is wonderful and we’re so blessed. We’re all like sisters.”

  “That my sweet, is absolutely true. We are like sisters.”

  “Who wants donuts?” Mia yelled out, as she pushed the door open with her foot. Her hands held a bag of sticky, sugary treats and three cups of hot, strong coffee. “Let’s sit and enjoy this before the work begins.”

  ***

  Thanksgiving was only ten days away. Karen booked the Stonewater Grille for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a nice idea to let someone else do all the preparations and cooking. The friends could relax and enjoy the holiday together. Everyone that had family to visit would do that Thanksgiving afternoon. The evening was for them, the best friends. Karen also booked five rooms for the night. Even though Black Friday was the very next day, the guys had employees ready to open the stores early that morning. Max and Mario would help out later in the day. They already hired more holiday workers to put in extra hours until after the New Year.

  Sasha spoke to her parents on the phone earlier in the week about visiting over Christmas. Her dad said spring would be smarter. He could help plant the vineyard, plus the house would be finished by then. Sasha agreed to wait. She was excited to have her father’s expertise in the startup of the vineyard.

  Gray skies loomed overhead. The day was dreary, but the girls were having a riot getting ready for tonight’s festivities. It was Thanksgiving. The reservations were for seven p.m. Aaron spent the afternoon visiting with his father, and Josh had lunch with his family, then caught up on paperwork. Mario drove down from Hunter and was relaxing at Vic’s house. Max stayed home in Peekskill. He planned to meet everyone at the restaurant at seven.

  They gathered at Karen’s “new” house to get ready. The Victorian was still too disorganized, and Mia didn’t feel quite right invading Aaron’s house with a troop of crazy women.

  “It’s weird how this house changed with just a new shade of paint and different furniture,” Vic said, as she sat patiently while Tina ran the curling iron through her hair.

  The master bath was their triage area for hair and makeup. The vanity was large enough to hold several wine bottles and glasses with no fear of elbows knocking anything over.

  “What do you think, Mia? Is it weird having someone else live here?”

  “Hell no, I love it. How many people wish they could revisit their old houses whenever they want? Plus I love the way Karen decorated it. It’s prettier than when I lived here, right Claire?”

  They all laughed as Claire brushed up against Mia’s leg and purred. The cat and Jack’s story would be forever a standing joke among the girls.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The clock ticked closer to half past six. Mia, Sasha, Tina and Josh rode with Aaron in his Explorer. Mario, Vic and Karen squeezed into Mario’s Karmann Ghia. Mario was going on to Hunter Friday, so he needed his car. The girls would ride back to Tarrytown with Aaron’s group.

  The inn and restaurant grounds looked beautiful with sparkling white lights filling the trees along the driveway. Everything was decorated in Christmas attire already. A giant blue spruce in its full splendor, sat in the center of hotel lobby, decorated to the tip with every kind of ornament imaginable. Colorful, wrapped boxes with silk ribbons lay beneath it. Wreaths covered every guest room door.

  After checking in, they dropped off their overnight bags, then waited near the bar for Max’s arrival. Out the window, over the Hudson, the full moon glowed in the sky. The moon shadows bounced on the water. The cloudy day had turned into a clear, crisp evening.

  “Isn’t this beautiful?” Sasha commented. Josh kissed her on the cheek and held her hand in his lap.

  Outside, the deck wore twinkling lights that covered the railing down to the lawn below. The trees near the river flickered with green lights. Spotlights added ambiance as they pointed skyward at the large oaks, creating colorful, shimmery images.

  “Hey, guys, Happy Thanksgiving,” Max said, as he kissed Vic and joined the group. “What a great set up, right? I think we need to add Christmas lights and some decorations to the stores too. What do you think, Mario?”

  “I agree completely. We can send the employees out to do that tomorrow. There’s no way in heck I’m getting in the middle of Black Friday madness.”

  “I hear you, dude. You ladies look beautiful tonight.”

  “Yeah, you’re pretty hot too,” Vic said.

  The hostess seated them at a large table near the deck. They had a perfect view of the beautiful decorations outside.

  “Well, here we are again,” Mario said. “That was a great day when Geared Up opened. It’s been six weeks, and so far, so good. Time goes fast, and now the Christmas rush is upon us. We’ll be pretty busy, so do I hear anyone volunteering?”

  “What are you going to do, Karen? Are you going to help out in Hunter or in Peekskill?” Sasha asked.

  Karen looked at Mario and shrugged her shoulders. “Hunter will be busier because of the ski season. It’s up to Mario. Max and I may have to help in Hunter and let the employees take care of Peekskill.”

  The waitress came to take their drink order. Josh quickly spoke up. “Since I’m the newest person in this group and haven’t done a lot to prove myself yet, I’d like to take the initiative and order a bottle of champagne for the table. We have a lot to celebrate and be grateful for. So if nobody objects, I’d like to order a bottle of your finest champagne. Please, let the Master Sommelier choose for us.”

  “Right away sir, thank you.”

  “That was a decent gesture, Josh. We might give you some consideration after all,” Max said, laughing.

  “Well, we have an announcement to make,” Mia said, once the champagne was poured. She stood to talk.

  “You’re preggers?” Vic asked.

  Everyone roared with laughter.

  “I hope that isn’t what she was going to say yet,” Aaron chuckled.

  “Vic, if I wasn’t dressed so nicely, I’d kick your ass right now.”

  More laughter erupted from the group.

  “Okay, everyone, I’d like to make a toast to my own engagement. Aaron and I chose a wedding date, if it’s okay with Sasha.” Mia looked toward Sasha and smiled.

  “Any date is okay, sister. We’ll make it work,” Sasha said, blowing her a kiss.

  “We’ve decided on June 20. I’m expecting everyone to clear their calendars for that day. So let’s make a toast to Aaron and me, yay!”

  Everyone lifted their champagne flutes and toasted to the first wedding to be held in their tight knit group of friends. Max gave Vic a smile and a wink. Mario glanced at Karen, who was already looking at him.

  They made the decision over dinner. Sasha, Karen and Max would go with Mario to Hunter for the three day weekend. This would be the busiest weekend before Christmas. Karen said she would stay in Hunter to help for the next few weeks. She and Max would take turns helping there throughout the ski season.

  Tina and Vic would ride back to Tarrytown with Aaron, Mia and Josh in the morning. Tina offered to take care of Kismet too, since Josh had a number of showings to do. The salon was closed anyway for the weekend. Sasha would ride back home with Max Sunday afternoon, leaving Karen and Mario together for the next few weeks.

  Mario rented a furnished two bedroom apartment for now. The living room had a sleeper sofa which would come in handy for Max.

  Friday morning they enjoyed breakfast at the restaurant before heading out. A li
ght frost coated the cars as everyone stood outside and said their good byes.

  Sasha stepped aside with Josh and kissed him. “I’ll see you in a couple of days, okay?”

  “I’ll miss you, Sasha,” he said, while he held her close.

  Vic and Max said their good byes too. Max promised to spend time with Vic when he returned on Sunday. “Wanna snuggle on the couch and watch football together?” he asked, as he brushed the hair away from her face.

  “That sounds like something couples do,” she kidded. “I have plans for halftime though.” Vic hugged him tightly as they kissed, then parted ways until Sunday.

  ***

  The Hunter store buzzed with customers enjoying the Black Friday sales. Ski equipment flew off the shelves as fast as Sasha could stock them. Karen helped at the register while Max and Mario set up ski lessons for newbies. Mario, being an avid skier would do the teaching, while Max was great at explaining the safety aspects and general guidelines to the beginners. They were exhausted by the time the day was over.

  Karen and Sasha took a bottle of wine into the second bedroom and said good night to the guys. The room was small, just enough space to maneuver around the bed. With the living room on the other side of the wall, anything they wanted to say privately would be whispered. A queen sized bed, one dresser and two nightstands holding lamps crowded the room. It had the typical look for a furnished apartment. The girls kept their voices low as they talked.

  “So, how is this going to work?” Sasha asked, as she lined up the corkscrew over the bottle and began turning.

  “You mean me staying in Hunter for two weeks?”

  “Yeah, that. You’re going to stay here, aren’t you?”

  “I’m not sure. It isn’t like Mario asked me to stay here. I don’t want to be presumptuous. But, he’d be an ass if he expected me to rent a hotel room for two weeks, wouldn’t he?”