I Said Yes

(Author’s Note: The next several installments are somewhat dark with light moments mixed into the story. As this is based on true events there is no real way to move forward with out what you will read next.)

The next several weeks were spent taking care of business at the restaurant and trying to get some stuff done around the house. Michael and I managed to talk pretty much twice a day. He vacillated between good and bad moods most days depending on what was happening with his dad. Our scheduled rendezvous for Seattle didn’t happen as planned because Dave was going through a tough stretch with his treatment. From what I could tell he was spending little or no time at the winery and most of his work was falling to Michael. I felt for the guy but there was little I could really do to help. He had told me that Chris was stepping up and even Nolan was spending some time over there helping out. Dave was the face of the winery and it was now starting to be Michael’s role which, I know, frustrated the shit out of him at times.

We were starting to roll through the month of March and then all of a sudden it was April and Easter was approaching… and Michael and I still hadn’t had a chance to spend any time together. It was starting to feel as though I would need to head up that way if we were going to be able to spend any time together. I wasn’t opposed to that but it was just easier if he could come to me once in a while. Still…I was missing him and wanted to see him so I was determined to make something work. The challenge would be getting things at work handled.

It was a blistery and cold West Seattle night, at the end of April, as I sat at the Admiral, chatting with Steve. We had gotten through all of the Easter madness and were preparing for a busy late spring and summer at the restaurant. I knew that my days off would become more difficult to manage based on how busy the season would become. Steve had brought some bar food over and I was just relaxing, nibbling on unhealthy food, sipping a drink and watching ESPN on the tube. It was around 9:30 pm that night when I got a phone call. It was Diane. This could not be good…or maybe she is trying to set up an event…who knows…I looked up and realized Steve was barking at me…

”Just answer the damn phone”…

He was always irritated with my ring tone…The University of Michigan Fight song…he was a Notre Dame guy.

“Hi there…this is a pleasant surprise”

“Hi…I was calling…well…I needed to let you know… (It was at that exact moment I knew…just knew…and it would turn out that this would not be the only phone call of this type I would get from Diane throughout our history)

“Dave passed away this afternoon…and I need you...”

“Oh my god Diane…I am so sorry…what happened? I mean so fast…”

“I took him in for a treatment today and at some point he developed a blood clot…they called it a pulmonary embolism…the clot happened fast and it moved right to his heart causing a heart attack”

“Geezus Di…I don’t know what to say”

“I know…I just wanted to tell you…so many things and details…I called the girls and they are on their way…I am just kind of numb right now”

“Where are you?”

“At the winery at the moment but I am going to head home in a few minutes”

“Is anyone with you?”

“The office girls are still here…they waited to make sure I wasn’t alone here…everybody is trying to track Michael down…I haven’t seen him or talked to him all afternoon”

“Oh shit…he doesn’t know?

“I haven’t been able to tell him…he was out in the vineyards all day and doesn’t get good reception over the hill”

“Damn…Ok…What can I do? Do you want me to keep calling him?”

“If you could…it would be helpful if I could tell him you were on your way…I will track him down even if I have to send Chris out to the vineyards…It’s really cold so I think Michael and the crew are putting the smudge pots out in the vineyard”

“Ok…uh ok…Let me jet home and grab some clothes and the pups and I will hit the road…I will wait to hear from Michael…though he usually calls me around 11pm so should I tell him if he doesn’t know?”

“I am hoping we will get to him first but I suppose it’s better coming from you than any of the guys in the production room. I think I will send everyone home anyway…it’s really late and everyone’s been here since real early this morning”

“Ok…send Chris out looking for him and get rid of everyone else…that way there is no chance for someone else to drop the news on him…one of us should be with him when he gets the news…so get Chris looking”

“I will…thank you Matt…and please, please drive safe”

“I will Darlin…get your self home and wait for the girls…and when you talk to Michael tell him I am on the way”

“I will…kisses!”

“Back at ya lady”

With that we both hung up. I was stunned and fumbling around. Obviously, Steve got the gist of the conversation and had brought over 2 shots of Jameson which we promptly downed. I started to pull my wallet out and he told me not to worry about it. He came around from behind the bar and gave me a big hug and I headed to the house. It only took me about 15 minutes to grab a suit, throw my necessities in a bag, scoop up the pups and we hit the road. I realized I hadn’t taken them out so we detoured to the restaurant so they could pee and so I could catch Corey to fill him in.

Corey was cool. We chatted about coverage and how he was going to get a day off. Chef Rob joined us in the conversation and actually volunteered to take one of his off days and supervise the floor so Corey could get a second day off. I had to admit…I did love this crew and how much everyone came together when needed. We all had our quirks but when push-came-to-shove…everyone was a Rockstar.

About two hours into the drive I got a text from Michael. I was nervous to look and wasn’t sure it was smart to chat right then. I looked down at it and he said…

“I know. Am at moms with her and girls. Chris on way. See you when u get here. Drive Safe. Love you”

I responded, telling him I was about an hour and a half away and would see him soon…and that I loved him too??

The rest of the drive was pretty much a blur and before I knew it I was pulling into the winery. I figured I would drop the pups off since they were more familiar with the apartment, would be out of the way, and would likely sleep late into the evening. I got them all situated and I took off towards Diane’s. When I arrived I noticed several cars in the long driveway and out front. I recognized Chris’s car and Nolan’s truck along with Michaels truck. I parked on the road and was making my way up the drive when I realized the guys were sitting on the tail gate of Michael’s truck. As I approached Michael flew off the tailgate and embraced me…then Chris and Nolan came over and it became a group hug. The next several minutes were spent with us embracing Michael. He began to cry and those cries quickly developed into sobs. Nolan and Chris backed away a bit and I just held him…for days it seemed like…until the sobs subsided. He pulled away…turned away and began wiping the tears off his face. It was a bit awkward as all I could say was that I was sorry.

“We should probably head into the house…I need a shot and mom will want to see you guys”

The three of us followed Michael up onto the expansive porch and into the door leading to the kitchen. As was the case with any gathering, most of the people who were here had assembled in the kitchen surrounding Diane. She was still trying to play host and there were quite a few people, most of whom I did not know, who had come to support her. Even Chef John, their close friend from Amore Restaurant (their favorite) was there…he had brought over trays of munchies and food knowing there would be a gathering. I realized it was well after midnight but it didn’t seem this gathering was going to end anytime soon.

When I got in the kitchen Diane stopped talking and came over and we hugged…a long hug and she kissed me on the side of the face and whispered “Thank you” into my ear. Michael had poured wine for us guys along with several shots of Jameson that were lined up on the kitchen island. We clinked glasses…toasted with asláinte,and then downed the shots. (sláinte is a traditional Irish toast generally meaning good health but is also used for just about any toast) The evening turned into the equivalent of an old fashioned Irish wake and people stayed until the early morning hours. Michael and I didn’t have much of a chance to talk. We went outside at one point where I hugged him again as we both lit up. I really was at a loss in terms of what to day or do and I told him so…

“Just having you here is enough right now…I am not sure I would get through this night without you…so thank you”

“You do not have to thank me…what you do need to do is talk to me and tell me what you need…what I can do”

“Nothing…at least not right now”

“Then promise me you will do that…promise me you will talk to me”

“I promise…and besides…I am sure that, over the next couple of days mom is going to have you doing plenty”

“Ok…but you are my worry…so I am going to hold you to that promise”

“Ok”

When we got back inside Diane had excused herself to go lay down and rest for a bit. The girls and Diane’s friends were cleaning up the kitchen and organizing all of the food Chef John had brought. Chris and Nolan announced they were going to take off, get some rest, and be at the winery in a few hours. The pots had to be checked and, in spite of the day’s tragedy, tomorrow (or, actually, this morning) was going to be a heavy shipping day.

I suggested that someone make a sign for the Tasting room announcing the closure. Michael’s sister, Meg, said she would head to the winery and put up the appropriate signage and notifications on the social media accounts. It was decided that no announcement of Dave’s death would be made, publicly, until Diane got up and had a chance to share her thoughts about that. That discussion would lead into a larger discussion about Dave’s actual obituary and plans for any kind of service. Meg let everyone know that Dave and Diane had preplanned every thing so it was just a matter of following directions and organizing the details. Everyone set off in their own directions with their own chores to take care of.

Michael and I realized we were alone in the kitchen and I suggested he go into one of the spare rooms to get a quick nap. He actually agreed. I told him I was gonna make a quick trip to the 24 hour market and grab some stuff for people to much on in a couple of hours. Using some of the stuff Chef John brought I figured I could grab a few things and set out a little breakfast/brunch buffet as no doubt, there would be many visitors to the house in just a couple of hours.

Michael thought that was a good idea and he kissed me and headed off to one of the guest rooms for a nap. I took off heading to the market and, as I pulled out of the driveway, I realized the sun was starting to come up. Though not our normal, perfect sunrise…another sunrise on a morning focused on Michael…it just kept happening.