In the Vineyard Ch. 09

"Give an old man credit for his instincts. Remember, I've been watching you close, for, what is it, eight years now. Respect me, or at least indulge me."

"I know what you want. You want me to find her."

"You don't need to find her to divorce her. In fact, I'm sure that you don't want to tell the authorities where she is."

Miles nodded. "You're right, there. I don't want to be involved, I don't want to hear about what else she's done, and I don't need Mom exposed to anymore."

"I agree with that, and some of your reasons. Especially concerning your mother." Jack had a sudden thought. "When was the last time you called her, by the way?"

Miles signed. "I know, I've been bad about that. But, I'm really busy right now. I'll call her. I'll call her later today."

"One thing I can't stand, its neglectful kids."
"Jack, don't get on your high horse. I can't keep Ana waiting forever."

"Well, let me get to what I'm saying. And, pour me some of that white wine. I thought I was supposed to be offering my expert opinion on the wines."

"I live only to obey," joked Miles, pouring a splash of he white for each of them.

"Here's the deal, as some say," Jack continued. "I don't think I have much time left. I want you to take care of things."

"I already said I would. I'll call those lawyers tomorrow, if you insist, and, get the divorce in motion."

"You know what else I want."

"Jack, I'm not going to go see her. What would be the point? Besides, the phone number I have for her daughter is years old."

"Not a problem," said Jack. "I don't sit here idle, you know." Open that same drawer and pull out a manila folder." Miles did so.

"Look inside."

Miles leafed through the documents inside the folder. "What is this? You hired a detective?" He looked up. "Jack, you must be bored. And, have money to burn."

"Miles, I want to set things right. As right as I can, anyway."

"Don't forget, I get some trade out of this. What does your detective say?"

"He found the daughter. Her number, her address, are there. Interestingly enough, she doesn't live that far from the winery. Based on his investigation, my man thinks that the mother is in Europe, specifically somewhere in Italy. But, I assume you can find that out for yourself. Go see what's her name, Tessa, and find out where her mother is. I'll pay for you to go there. You don't have to stay. Just go see her, tell her you're getting a divorce, and see what happens."

"Jack, I don't see the point, especially now that I've met someone else."

"Exactly the point. Miles, we need to face our fears, in order to overcome them."

"Speaking of, I want to talk to you about your son."

"I'm ahead of you there. I knew that would be the card you'd play."

"Ahead of me how?"

"I've invited them over later. Brandon and his friend."

"You've had them around before."

"Yes, but they knew I didn't approve of them, so they couldn't be themselves. This time, I intend to listen, and not just talk. And, Miles, I'll consider it. I mean, putting Brandon in charge. That is, if your friend will agree to help."

"Jimmy is Brandon's friend, too. More than a friend."

"I know that. If they think of themselves as a couple, well, it's better than being alone, as I see it. In fact, it was thinking about you that made me start to appreciate the fact that they just might be happy, as hard as it is for me to accept. Like someone else I know, Brandon seems to be finding a place for himself at that winery. I used to think he'd go back to college. But, I am beginning to think that he enjoys himself. All I really want is for him to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted for him, you know."

Miles had a quizzical look on his face. "Jack, I do believe that you think you're dying." He stared at the older man. "And, I sure hope you're wrong. Don't know what I'd do without you."

"I'm trying to take care of it so you'll be fine. Now, will you do it? Lets say it's my dying wish."

Miles sighed. "I can't say no." In a different voice, Miles said, " But, I really don't want to go on some wild goose chase to Italy, just to see the woman who stole from me, ruined my business, and abandoned me."

"You see, Miles. I hear the anger. You need to see her to get over this. If you don't get over it, and trust me on this, you won't be able to give yourself completely to someone else. And that pretty lady down the hall deserves all you can give."

"I'll call the attorneys. And, I'll call Tessa, next week."

"Tomorrow, Miles. Then, call me and let me know. And, I'll tell you how it went with Brandon. I know you think I'm kidding, but I can sense it. I don't have that much time left. I want to be able to rest in peace." He finished the wine. "This is good, by the way. Before I forget, I want to tell you that you've become a terrific winemaker. The place is a financial success, but I think that is more due to hard work and good ideas. You also make wines to be proud of. Different style than I started with, but I know that the public's tastes are changing. Not everyone wants sweet wines anymore."

"The sweets are still our best sellers."

"Yes, but, if I read the figures correctly, not at the winery. The sweet wines are selling at the same stores that have stocked them since I beat on their doors many years ago."

"You're right, Jack. Sales of dry, especially dry red wines, have really picked up at the winery. People want the dry reds with the steak dinners."

"Just the same, I'm proud of what you've done. And, I know that you'll go do it again, somewhere else. And, I'm sure your own winery will be a success. Please, just be around to help whomever is running my winery."

"Depends," said Miles.

"Todd may be too proud to ask for it, but he'll accept your help, if you offer. I know you don't like him. And, you have some reasons for that – he had no business prying into your personal life like he did – but, on the other hand, give him some credit for watching out for his old man. "

"Interesting how he got worried after the place started to…"

Jack interrupted. "We don't need to go there, as they say. We've been through this all before. Miles, I love both of my sons, and I love you like a son. I wish everybody could get along. But, even I have my limits of interfering." Jack was laughing, and Miles joined in.

"Go get your young lady. Say good by, and take her to lunch somewhere. But leave this wine here. I may nibble away at it."

"Will do. I'll be right back."
"Miles?"

Miles stopped before opening the door. "What?"

"Is she the girl that I almost ran into a couple of weeks ago?"
Miles had to stop and think. The golf cart. The first day he saw Ana. "Yes."

"Funny. When I saw her pulling up, first thought I had was, now there's a woman for my friend Miles. Not a kid, like those winery girls, but a real, honest to goodness attractive grown up female woman. Was I right?"

Miles got a big smile on his face. "In every way imaginable. Plus, she's a great worker. And, she's an inspiration to some of the pickers."

"I can see that she'd be inspiring. Good in bed, is she?"

"Jack, you never stop being a dirty old man."

"At my age, it's all I have. I have to live through other people's love lives."

"You better behave yourself when I bring her back. And, please don't mention this stuff about Em, or a divorce. Let me tell Ana in my own time."

"Agreed. That is your business to handle. Just make sure you handle it. I'm counting on you!"

Miles went out the door, through the kitchen to the study. Ana was seating in a comfortable leather arm chair reading a book. She looked up as Miles came in.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"Good," was all Miles said.

"I'm glad," Ana said. She thought he was strangely quiet. "I found this great book 'Adventures along the Wine Route'. It's written by a San Francisco wine importer who travels throughout France. I just started it, but it's really comfortable to read. And informative."

Miles glanced down at the book. "That is a good book. By Kermit Lynch. Bring it along, I'll tell Jack you're borrowing it. I had a copy, but I loaned it to Jimmy and he hasn't given it back."

Ana stood up. The three wine glasses were empty.

"Enjoy the wine?"

"Looks like," she said. She realized as she stood up that she felt a little bit lightheaded. "I guess I got a little buzz."

"We'll go eat after we say our farewell to Jack."

Ana saw something a little unfamiliar in Miles, like something was bothering him. "Miles," she said. "Are you OK?" Her voice seemed to pull him into the present.

"I'm sorry, sweet. I'm just thinking about things." He stepped close to her and put his arms around her, kissing her on the lips. Ana responded, leaning her body close to his.

"I love you so much," he murmured. "I want to be the best for you I can."

She didn't say anything, but put her arms around him. He hugged her back, pulling her tightly to him. "Promise you'll tell me if I ever make you unhappy."

Ana was feeling uncomfortable by this sudden seriousness from Miles. She tried to lighten his mood.

"So, what about lunch?" she said. "And, we should wash up these wine glasses."

Miles nodded. "You're right." He still looked thoughtful as he picked the glasses up. "Ana," Miles said as they walked back into the kitchen.

"What is it?" Ana asked, then not waiting for his response, "Where's the dish soap?"

"Under the sink," Miles said. "I may have to take a short trip one of these days. I hope you don't mind."

"No, of course not. Business?"
"Not exactly." Miles thought for a minute. "Yes, sort of about business."

"I'm not working, you know," Ana said. "If you want me to come along. Where are you going?" She filled up one side of the sink with water, then put the glasses in to soak. "What about Jack's room? More glasses there?"

Miles didn't immediately answer, but he walked back toward Jack's room, motioning Ana to follow. As they went in, they saw that Jack turned the television back on and was drinking a large glass of wine. Miles picked up the other glasses left in the room, leaving one for Jack.

"Jack, we'll be taking off now. I'll leave the red bottles out, but I'll put the white in the 'frig."

"Call me, tomorrow," Jack said to Miles. "Call me with news."

"I'll call you."

"Don't call me until you make some other calls."

"Yes, boss," said Miles, sounding weary. He started to walk out of the room. Ana gave a little wave, then followed.

"Remember, Miles," Jack called after them. "We have a bargain – I'll keep up my side."

"OK, Jack," said Miles. "Get yourself feeling better. We'll finish picking this week, I'd like it if you came out."

Miles put the white wine in the refrigerator and the other glasses in the soak water. He started cleaning off the glasses that had been soaking. He washed each very carefully, looking up in the light. He towel dried each and put them back in a cupboard.

"Miles," Ana began, hesitantly. "I know it might be none of my business, but what's this talk about a bargain?"

Miles turned back and looked at her. "Ana, don't get me wrong. It's not that it's none of your business. But, I don't want to talk about it at this point in time."

"Well, then tell me about your trip."

"I can't talk about that right now, either. Anyway, I might not go anywhere. Just some idea Jack has." Ana felt slighted, but she tried not to show it. But, Miles could see a change in her expression. "Ana, I'm sorry. I don't mean to take this out on you. I'm just a little worried. Jack keeps talking like he doesn't expect to be around very much longer. And, he's putting some pressure on me to do some things."

"Things to do with your past?"

"Yes. But let's leave it at that. On the plus side, he's agreed to spend some time with Brandon and Jimmy, talking about the possibility of them running the winery." Miles dried and put away the last glass. "Come on, I'm starving."

Ana realized that she was hungry too – the tastes of wine had all been on an empty stomach.

They went out to the parking lot out front. Looking back, Ana saw Jack looking through curtains and waving at them. She waved back. Miles saw her and looked back, then stuck his tongue out at Jack. Jack smiled, and extended a finger. Miles laughed, and Ana could see that Jack was laughing as well.

"Same old SOB," said Miles. "Hey, little Ana."

Ana felt herself blush. "Where did that come from?"

"A lot of conversations with your non uncle Chester. Would you prefer Jimmy's version – Ana banana?"

"You know, I've never really been a nickname person. Most everyone just calls me Ana. How about you?"

"Not really. What I was going to say was, we're only going about three miles. Too hard to walk, the road gets too fast. But, if you're feeling the wine, I'll take the helm for just this leg."

"That'd be a good idea. I assume you're licensed and insured."

"Absolutely." She unlocked the door with the key, then handed it to him. "You'll have to show me how to use this gadget," he said. "Truck is very basic."

Ana hit a button and the end of the key popped out. "Now, it's just like anything else. Start and drive."

Miles turned the key, then fastened his seat belt. He looked at her and took her hand, squeezing it. "If you're feeling the relaxation from alcohol, maybe I should take advantage of you."

"What, and risk the authorities?" Ana asked, in mock horror. Miles was pleased to see that her good mood was still intact.

"You're right. Plenty of time for that later." He backed out.

"So, Miles, no nicknames, ever?"

"You forget, I didn't use my own name for most of my life. I was Davis, not Miles."

"And, no one called you something like Dave, or Davie?"

She saw Miles face tighten and he gripped the steering wheel. "Uh, not really, " he stammered.

Miles could still hear her voice, Em's voice, Em saying Davie this, Davie that. That voice continued to haunt him as it had for years. She had been the only person ever to call him 'Davie', and sometimes, during lovemaking 'Davie Cockit". And Em was his nickname for her, her real name was Mary. Maybe Jack is right, Miles was thinking. Maybe I do need to see her to finally get away from this. But Miles wasn't convinced that he had ever stopped loving Em. Nor did he know how to handle Ana. Should he tell her? He certainly couldn't take her. Besides, this was Miles' problem to handle – taking Ana would be avoiding the real purpose – to deal with the mixed emotions Em continued to evoke in him.

Miles drove out of town opposite the way they had come in. Ana noticed that he drove very slowly and cautiously. Within a few seconds, the rows of brick buildings were replaced by newer buildings, carry out, gas stations, a few offices, but spaced further and further apart. The businesses continued to thin, and, just a few miles out of town Miles pulled up to an old white-painted cinder block building. Ana saw a sign by the road reading "John Conner Diner." Miles turned to her.

"I know it doesn't look like much. But the food is cheap, and good. And not too greasy. No wine, only beer. But they have a fair selection of imports and microbrews."
"Sounds just fine," said Ana.

They got out of the car. Miles looked down at the key. He pushed a button and the horn sounded. "Did I lock it?" He asked Ana.

"Yes. See, it's not that hard."

"No, I guess not. But I was hoping that you'd drive again after we eat. I mean, to the store, then I'll take over for the drive home."

Ana nodded. "Fair enough."