by Neil Crenner
property."
"I wonder how we find out."
"You have to go to the city hall and check it there."
"That is a good idea."
"Let's get back to the car. It will be getting windy soon."
"How'd you know that?" Reason asked quizzically.
"The wind always begins to blow around this time at the beach," Didier said.
"Oh I see. So what do you think of the lighthouse?"
"I think it looks quainter from afar off."
"I agree. Up close it's a bit tattered and worn, needs some fresh paint. I wonder what the story is about this place. It's all a mystery."
"Are you ready to climb down?"
"I think I saw another way down, let's check it out." Reason led Didier down a ways and there was indeed a zigzag path that went back and forth and led down to the beach. "This is how they used to get down there. It's so clever. Why didn't we see this before, we walked right by it."
"Very San Francisco indeed," Didier replied. "We weren't paying attention before." They were down the beach and heading back to the car.
"Did you take many photos?"
"Yes an entire roll of film. Hope you like them." Reason smiled.
"I am sure I will. Are we going to stop at that café we saw driving up here?"
"Oh yes, I forgot about that. I can't wait. I am a bit hungry."
"You didn't get full on that sandwich?"
"That was just meant as a snack. The champagne made me feel hungry I think."
"Blame it on Korbel," Didier said with a wink.
A short time later.
They pulled up to the café and got out.
"It's just about sunset. I hope they have a seat by the window. I want to see the sun set into the ocean."
"I am sure they will just for you Reason," Didier teased him. They were seated right in front of the window, the sun was setting. The waiter came over and asked what they wanted to drink. They ordered iced tea. The menu was home cooking and Reason ordered the pot roast with veggies and buttermilk biscuits. Didier ordered the same thing. Reason looked at him and winked. Didier smiled back.
They sat there in silence and watched the sunset into the ocean. "Wow I loved to watch that. I want to leave by the beach."
"You live within a few miles."
"I have to drive to the beach to watch the sunset."
"Why don't we ever do that? At least once a week."
"From now on we shall." The waiter returned with their iced teas.
"Oh by the way, do you know about the lighthouse a few miles north of here?" He asked the waiter.
"The one on the Vanderbilt Winery? Oh yes, that place has been closed for years. I think since the late 1960's. It used to be managed by the coast guard and then it was not useful anymore after they built the new lighthouse a few miles south of here. The Vanderbilt's closed the winery down and moved to Europe in the late 1950's. Troubles in the family were the rumor. It was a big scandal, murder you know."
"Wow. I got more information than I was expecting," Reason said to Didier. "So who owns the winery now?"
"Don't know that but I hear that are all the heirs have passed and it has no owner, except the State. I heard that a builder from Monterey wants to build a luxurious golf resort and country club but he can't get his hands on it."
"Oh really? I see. Well thank you so much for the information. I really appreciate it." Reason said with a big smile. The waiter left them.
"Did you hear that Didier? Now what do you think of that?"
"I think it all very interesting. It's odd how she said the family moved back to Europe."
"Did she say back to Europe?"
"I thought so. Well anyway from what I gathered my mom's family did move back to Europe sometime in the 1950's and that name, Vanderbilt seems to ring a bell and they might have had a winery here in California."
"The mystery is getting juicier. Call your mom up and ask here."
"I just might have to do that." The waiter brought the plates of food and after much ado about nothing left them to eat.
"Wow they give you huge portions," Reason exclaimed.
"Bon appetite babe?"
Reason's heart melted. It was so romantic the way Didier said 'Babe.'
Chapitre 16
Monday morning.
Reason awakes, Didier is caressing his chest with his hand, he turns towards Didier and pulls him close, he finds his mouth and starts to make love with his tongue and they go on until the sun is peaking in thru the shutters. The morning is sudden and beautiful. They hold each other once again and fall back to sleep. A knock on the door awakens them, "Breakfast is ready." They are up in a flash. Didier heads into the bathroom, Reason begins packing. He leaves an outfit out for himself. He's lying on the bed when Didier comes out of the bathroom all groomed and smelling fresh. He has a grin on his face that tells Reason he is very happy.
"Well all yours." He walks over to Reason and kisses him on his cheek. Boy he's falling in the deep end of love, Reason says to himself and he is also relieved that Didier is so happy. He himself is in a euphoric zone, even radiant. He goes to take his shower, outfit in tow. When he comes out all dressed and ready to go, Didier is sitting drinking coffee that he had delivered to the room.
"Black and piping hot.''
"Hmmm, that smells good, just what I needed."
"This is the best coffee," Didier replies. It smells wonderful. Didier has packed his clothes and has sent the luggage downstairs to the car.
"How did you get my toiletries into my luggage?" Reason asked as he sipped his coffee.
"When you were getting dressed I slipped in and packed all of them and tucked them into your luggage."
"Where was my mind, I didn't even notice."
"Reason, you were off in mystery wine-land."
"Maybe I was."
"Let's go have breakfast," Didier kisses Reason and holds him tight. "I do love you so."
"You are sweet. I love you too."
They head downstairs to the dining room. "The other guests have eaten and are no where to be seen, maybe upstairs packing," the host told them graciously and then showed them to a small table with reserved notes on the plates.
"Look it's reserved for us."
"Yes, to make sure that they don't pick up the place settings," the host said with a smile. They sat down as he poured them coffee.
"How would you like your eggs?"
"How about eggs over medium with biscuits and gravy."
"We have delicious smoked bacon as well."
"Yes indeed."
"Fruit on the side? And juice?"
"Sure that sounds wonderful."
"And you sir?"
"I'll have the exact same thing," Didier said with a smile.
"That was easy, back in a few. The newspaper is in the lobby if you wish to read it."
"Let's not forget to pick one up on our way out," Reason interjected and sipped his coffee.
After breakfast.
"It's a beautiful day. We'll love driving down Pacific Coast Highway aujourd'hui," Reason quips as they step out of the lobby of the bed and breakfast. "Let's put the top down and enjoy the sunshine." The car has been brought up to the front of King's Cross bed & breakfast.
"I thought you said this was called the Kincaid Inn?"
"I don't know where I got that from."
"Well it was a nice place to stay. I'll be back."
They drive south on COAST HIGHWAY in silence. Reason is staring at the ocean, mesmerized by its beauty, so vast and blue. He begins to ponder about Didier and how long they have known each other. Are we moving too fast? Should we slow down? He glimpsed a huge wave crash against the rocks, staring he forgets his thoughts and looks over at Didier, it's alright and he wants to enjoy the drive back home. They drive on.
Two hours later.
They see a sign for a café that is up the road a few miles. Reason loves to find these places and go dine in them. "Shall we stop at COAS
T HIGHWAY Café and have some brunch?"
"Oh yes, I am starving. Didier answers." When they pull in, they see several cars parked out in front.
"It looks like it is an old dinner pre world war II. It is in very good shape, all painted and such." The drive is all white rock and they pull in slowly. Reason is thrilled about finding such a gem on this trip. He hopes the food is good old home cooking. As they walk into the café Reason gets an odd feeling about the place.
A touristy place it is now, remnants of the past. Reason and Didier take a seat near the window and look around. All the people seem like regular tourists, a few of the people maybe locals. The waiter comes with menus and asks if they care for iced tea, both of them say yes. He departs and returns with drinks.
"I'll give you a few minutes to decide?" The waiter asks in a slow voice.
"Oh yes a few minutes." They are just looking at the menus and Reason sees something happening. A vision. A lady, she falls in the kitchen of her bakery one day, she is lying still. It is quick and disturbing. Reason comes out of it and is staring at the menu. He shivers. Wow what a place to see something. But this is something that has already happened. It is not the future but the past. He gets a queer feeling in his stomach. He needs an antacid. He fumbles in his pants pocket, but he has none. Didier looks up from his menu and asks, "What's wrong?"
"I just have a bit of an upset stomach and I need an antacid. I shall go to the car, I have some in my overnight case. Be right back." He gets up and walks out to the car, he has a frightened feeling. He hates those visions. He goes to the trunk, he opens it using the keyless remote, and finds his antacids. He puts a few in his pocket, just in case. 'Shall I tell Didier about my vision or not?' He wonders. No not now, he returns to the café, the table and to Didier.
"I