Page 6 of Apple Martinis

“I do have other family, it’s just that they don’t even know that I exist.”

His mouth hangs open at my answer but I can see the wheels turning inside his head.

“Why don’t they know about you?” He asks curiously.

“My dad,” I snort at the name. “He was already married when he met my mom. She got pregnant and he didn’t want me. So she left and had me on her own.”

“Well that’s just fucked up, man.” August says quietly.

From all the stories I’ve heard from him since we became friends, I know that he had amazing parents that loved him and his sister.

They had them both later in life. Their mom died from cancer as well when they were still really young and their dad passed away a few years ago. They only have each other now.

“It is. He’s dead now so I guess karma had final say because it happened not too long after I was born.”

“Did he have any other kids?”

“Yes. Two that I know of. Twin boys that are older than me.” I’m surprised that it’s been so easy to talk about this with anyone other than my mom.

“So you have brothers. That’s awesome. I got stuck with a sister.” He curls his lip but only for a moment.

“You’re so full of shit. You love your sister.” I splash the water in his eyes.

“I’d love her more if she’d let me drive her car.” He answers and I laugh.

He’s been after her car since she bought it six months ago. It’s a fully restored 1969 Corvette.

“You might as well give up. She’ll never let you drive it. Not after you ran over a tree with your own.”

“I didn’t see it in the rear view.” He laughs.

Looking up at the sky, I see the sun has dropped even further on the horizon. It’ll be getting dark soon.

“I think it’s about time to head in. Mocha is probably ready for another walk. I have a few beers in the fridge waiting for us.”

“Sounds good to me. I can only have one though. I have an early day tomorrow at the restaurant.” He answers before we paddle to shore.

“Are you still enjoying being a chef in your own kitchen now?” I ask, picking up my board as we walk towards my house, the sun still hot enough to dry us before getting there.

“Hell yeah! I worked my ass off to get where I am now and I plan to stay there.” He says dramatically. “What about you? You going to stay at Sweet Cocktails forever or do you have a big five year plan?”

“Actually, I have something in mind if you have time to listen to it. Tell me what you think.”

“You want my input?” He raises a brow.

Reaching my fence, we prop our boards against it before I let us in through the gate. Mocha runs over to us, tongue hanging out, throwing slobber in all directions.

“Is your owner aware of your drooling problem?” August asks Mocha, bending down to give her a good rub.

“Yes. To both the drooling problem and the input. Let me grab us some beers.”

I head inside, grabbing a few from the fridge and taking them out back. August has already found a chair under the one shade tree that I have so I take the other chair over and take a seat as well, handing him his own beer in the process.

“Damn, that tastes good.” He sighs, leaning back. “Hit me with this plan.”

“I think I want to eventually open a restaurant bar.”

“Isn’t that what most restaurants are? Restaurant bars?” He chuckles.

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