Page 55 of A Taste of Chardonnay

“You’re good here?” I asked Meadow.

“Sure am. If you can unlock the door, I can set up.”

“You have four hours before we open.”

She shrugged. “I don’t have anything else to do. Most places are still digging out, and I spent enough time in my apartment during the storm.” A sadness crept across her eyes, but I wasn’t a therapist, nor was I capable of dealing with someone else’s emotions when I couldn’t even deal with my own.

“Understood,” I said and unlocked the door. “Have at it.”

“Thanks, boss. Everything okay with you?”

Thoughts of Ron and that shitshow ran through my mind, but then Char’s face rushed in. “Everything’s fine. Got a lot going on at the moment.”

“If you ever need anything, let me know.” The kindness in her tone made me realize she wasn’t just saying it to say it. She meant it.

“I appreciate that. I’ll see you later.”

“No rush. I got things under control here. You do what you gotta do.”

Just then, a loud honk echoed through the parking lot.

Meadow laughed. “Is Jack honking at you?”

“The bastard has no patience,” I muttered. I gave her a nod and hopped into my truck. “Seriously?” I said to my impatient pup. “You have to stop that.” He gave me those damn puppy dog eyes, and I gave in, scratching him behind the ear. “Brat,” I said and popped the truck into reverse.

I needed to swing by the VFW and hope that Ron’s friends were there. I didn’t want to ask for any favors or help, but I couldn’t watch the man twenty-four-seven. As much as it pained me to admit it, I needed help. It was just about noon, and with Albert’s farm stand closed for the weather, I expected him to at least be hanging around. The parking lot was nothing more than a square of gravel. It was plowed the best it could be, and I was relieved to spot not just Albert’s truck but Ray’s, too.

Not wanting Jack’s impatient ass to honk at me, I motioned for him to follow. The VFW was about as outdated as it could get. Wood paneling lined the far-right wall, adorned with evenly spaced mirrors to make the space feel larger. A row of empty tables and chairs sat along the wall, ready for events. The far-left wall displayed military memorabilia and photos of fallen soldiers. And the back wall featured a long bar with stools and more wood paneling, while a few slot machines sat off to the side.

Albert and Ray sat at the bar, each nursing a steaming cup of coffee.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Albert said, and Jack barked at the word cat. I scratched his head to calm him down.

“Albert, good to see you.”

“Is it?” Jack ran over to Albert and circled his stool until Albert relented and gave him some attention.

“How’s the old man?” Ray asked. I had sent Ray a text from the hospital to let him know what was going on. I didn’t want him to stop by Ron’s and worry. I wondered if Ron realized how lucky he was to have someone actually gave a shit about him. Even after every shitty thing he had done in his life.

“I’m going to pick him up in an hour. Last I heard, they said his vitals were good. I haven’t heard anything since, so I’m going with no news is good news.”

Albert bobbed his chin and took a sip of his coffee. “So, why are you here? It’s not like you came by to shoot the shit with us.” Albert was always a right-to-the-point kind of guy, and I appreciated that about him. It made it easier to cut through the bullshit.

“The doctor told me I need to hire a nurse for Ron. Basically, he shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time. With the time I put in at the distillery, I can’t be there as often as is needed. I’m going to hire a nurse. I have to make some phone calls, deal with insurance and all the shit that comes with it, but in the meantime, I was hoping you guys would be willing to help out.”

“What do you need?” Ray asked without hesitation.

I probably should have thought this through. I was more worried about asking than anything else. Chardonnay would have had a freaking spreadsheet ready to go, delegating times like a drill sergeant.

Jack wandered around the perimeter of the place, sniffing the walls. I focused my attention on Ray. “Let me look at my schedule, and we can go from there. See if we can work something out that is convenient for everyone.”

“If you have him until six today, I can swing by and grab him, bring him here for a bit then crash at his place tonight.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do all that,” I said.

“It’s what friends and community do. We won’t leave you hanging. Right, Albert?”

“We’ve got your six,” he said.

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