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“It does,” Trey confirms.
My three chaperones look to each other, but say nothing because they know I’m right. Even younger, drinking wasn’t my thing. A little green plant, on the other hand, was much more up my alley. Nah, drinking never appealed too much. If it didn’t then, it certainly wouldn’t now.
“Trust me. I will drink one glass with my meal, then nothing but water. I promise.”
Crisp white wine was truly the best accompaniment. It slid over my tongue and down my throat so easily. My body warmed instantly, giving me that languid feeling I’d wished for last night, where your problems seem insignificant and everything is possible. Almost as good as sex.
But the feeling has started to fade away too quickly, and I crave just a little more. Against protests from the table, (especially because of them) I order another.
“One more,por favor,” I tell Trey, using the only Spanish words I know.
“Mom, those are big glasses,” Reese warns.
I look over at Sheridan who is on her third glass of cabernet. “Why aren’t you saying anything to her?”
“Because she doesn’t have a physical challenge tomorrow,” Liz says, taking a sip of her martini.
“Okay, you’re right. Thank you for taking care of me. See, drinking my H2O.” I make a show of drinking my water.
“Good. I’ll order more for you,” Reese says.
“All right, in the meantime I’m going to the bathroom,” I say.
On the way to the restroom I run into Trey. “I have your glass of wine.”
“Oh, thank you. I meant to cancel it,” I say, looking over to my table. “Um, there’s no point in wasting it. And it is my birthday.”
“You have to enjoy life,” he reassures.
“That I do, my young friend.” Taking the glass from him, I drink it like it’s water. “Don’t tell them over there, deal?”
“Sure thing.”
I don’t know what it is about this particular glass, other than I’m wondering if perhaps it was something different. Whatever it was, it hits me harder than the others. In a good way. Too good. Wanting to hang on to the feeling a little longer, I convince myself that if I drink another glass of water, it will cancel out another glass of wine.
Heading to the far end of the bar, where I know I’ll go unseen by my critics, I do just that. Getting back to my seat is a wobbly affair, but I manage it with a smile on my face.
“Where were you? I was about to come looking,” Reese says to me.
“Fine, I’m fine,” I nod, adjusting the neckline of my dress.
“I didn’t ask if you’re fine.”
“Mm. It’s so nice out here. I wish you’d come live with me, kid.” I throw my arm around her, bringing her head to mine. “Why can’t you stay little?”
“Whoa!” Reese rears back, making a big deal of waving the air in front of her. “Mom, you reek of booze.”
“Cat!” Liz sits up. “That’s it, we’re out of here.”
“What? Not at all! Pfft!” I reach over to grab Liz’s arm as she calls the server over. “Damn it, Liz. I don’t want to go yet.”
“Let me go. You’re making a scene,” she hisses, looking around desperately.
“I’m not drunk,” I tell her through tight lips.
Liz’s eyes spit fire my way. “I know you’re not, but if you keep this up, you’ll not only be drunk, you’ll be sorry.”
“Kitten, listen to your sister. She knows what’s best,” Sher says.
