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“Hey Penny,” she calls out, stashing her purse in the small safe we keep behind the counter. “How’s it going? Yesterday was packed. Guessing today will be the same.”
“Hey, Brit?” I say, a question on the end of my words. “You recognize this couple’s name?” I turn the computer screen so it’s now facing her.
“Oh, yeah. They were in here yesterday. They were looking for you and I told them you worked today. I made the reservation for them. How come?”
“I don’t know. They were in here a few weeks back and asked for me then too.”
As much as the whole threesome swingers thing was a joke, I find it odd that they’re back for a third time and looking only for me. What could they possibly want? While they seemed to have a hearty interest in my wine knowledge, they also asked a lot of questions about me personally.
“Maybe they just like you. Did they do any cider tasting? Maybe they’re buttering you up hoping you pick them as one of the winners,” Brit suggests, shrugging her shoulders as she walks off to grab a tray of glasses.
I guess I never even thought about that. We are giving away a pricy package to several people and everyone loves free shit. It was pretty stupid and self-centered of me to think they’re interested in me.
I laugh a little, shaking my head at my own stupidity. Of course it’s the giveaway that has brought them back several times. We have no limit on the number of entries; it’s just one per day.
I quickly get back to making sure all of the wine is stocked and we have plenty of cider on tap for the samples, when a soft knock comes on the entry door to the tasting room.
I walk over to the door and find the older couple standing outside, about fifteen minutes early for their reservation. Generally, I wouldn’t open up early, but for some reason I decide to let them in.
“Hi Penny,” the older gentleman says when I open the door. “It’s great to see you again. I know we’re early, but we’d like a chance to talk to you before the place gets too busy.”
I nod, looking around the empty tasting room and wondering where Brit has flitted off to. I could use her right about now. I do know Lauren is in her office, which is only a scream away should I need her.
I watch way too much TV because I’ve gone from thinking this old guy wants to bring me into his harem to thinking he and his sweet little wife want to kill me.
“Come on in,” I respond, stepping aside and holding the door open for them. Both walk over to the bar and sit down, while I make my way back behind it. I feel like a barrier might be good.
Why am I so weird?It’s probably something so stupid that I’ll be laughing about it tonight with Tommy.
“So, my name is Albert Timmons and this is my wife Elaine. We live up near Seattle,” he starts. “A small island, only about 900 people, but it’s quiet and beautiful.”
Why is he telling me this?I wait though, letting him finish his thought.
“We’ve lived there for about, well...” he pauses looking over at Elaine who gives him a sweet smile.
“It’s been about thirty-six years,” she adds, finishing his sentence. “How long have you been here again?”
“I started working at Somerville’s a couple of years ago. I came from Massachusetts to find something different and I certainly found it here.” I return her smile, realizing how much I appreciate being here and how I can’t picture my life anywhere else now.
“That’s wonderful,” Elaine says, her hand resting on Albert’s arm. “We came from New York out to Washington almost forty years ago and we never looked back.”
“I know you’re early, but is there a wine I can grab for you? You might as well enjoy the quiet in here and have a little wine,” I offer, settling down now that I know they aren’t here to murder me or get me in the sack.
“That would be great, but that’s not what we’re here for today,” Albert says, again looking over at his wife. They both seem to be more uncomfortable than when they first walked in here.
“We were wondering if it would be possible to be guests at the opening of the cider house here at the vineyard?” he finally admits, coming right out with it now.
And there it is. People wanting free shit and trying to butter me up to get it. I try not to let my face tell what I’m thinking, but I’m certain the way I close my eyes a little too slowly is giving me away.
“So, it is invitation only since it’s not open to the public and we are running the giveaway, but I’ll see what I can do,” I reply, lying because I know I just can’t invite these people off the street to the soft opening. Not only that, but it’s pretty shitty of them to come in here and try to act like they’re interested in me just to get free food and drinks in the end.
“I’m not certain we’re conveying what we’re asking very well,” Elaine now says. “Let me see if I can explain this better.”
She takes in a long slow breath and gives her husband a knowing glance. They stay silent for a few seconds too long and I begin to wonder if I shouldn’t give Lauren a call.
“Like we said, we’ve been living in Washington for a while now, a long time actually. We own a vineyard and we’ve been running it on our own for the last thirty-six years, but we’re getting old and it’s not feasible for us to continue. So essentially what we’re asking is if you would like to take over our vineyard? Run things for us? We understand the commitment that it would take, but we are willing to make you a substantial offer,” she closes, just as her husband slides a piece of paper across the bar to me.
And when I open the small slip, I gasp out loud.
