I Said Yes

We took his truck over to a public lot about 3 doors down from Zig Zag. We didn’t say a word during the short drive, but I did notice he had a shit-eating grin on his face. I wondered what I had gotten myself into but guess I couldn’t worry too much about that right then…I made my own bed…so to speak…and I was gonna have to lie in it…or somewhere. The guys were bellied up to the bar quietly watching Murray do his magic. Everyone was in good spirits, especially Michael. I knew why he was in such a good mood, but the rest figured it had something to do with day one of the trade show. Although we would be heading to, yet, another memorial for his dad in a little while, he was jovial and in good humor. We really only had time for one, considering the precision and “build-time” for Murry’s cocktails…besides there would be plenty to drink at the Met. We got our drinks, Chef Rob picked up the tab and we ventured out onto the patio where Michael busted out his collection of cigars. By then everyone had arrived…Michael & I, Corey & Chris (for the sake of argument I was considering them a couple at that point), Nolan, Chef Rob and Chef John (from Walla Walla). We partook of Michael’s cigars, finished our cocktails and then walked, as a group, up to the Metropolitan Grill.

When we got to the Met we all stood on the corner, across the street, and those who did smoke lit up. We all kind of chuckled as, even almost an hour early, the valet attendants, and there were at least 6 of them, were all running around crazy like. The line of cars waiting to be parked was stretched several blocks and, for those of you who might know downtown Seattle, that caused quite a clusterfuck with traffic. Michael popped off as said the scene looked like people arriving on the red carpet at the Oscars…and it really did kind of look like that…well…without the actual red carpet. We finished our smokes and wandered across the street towards the entranced and it occurred to me that Michael had said nothing about having to speak or accept the honor during the event…

“Are you ready in case you have to say anything?”

“I won’t…Diane is here”

“Silly man…you think she is not gonna drop that in your lap?”

“Nah…it should be her”

“Well, I am here to tell ya…if she is sitting down and has a scotch in front of her…it’s not gonna happen”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m just sayin”

We walked into the restaurant foyer and were greeted by Kerry Symms who was the President of the Washington Wine Commission. She hugged Michael and shook my hand. She knew both of us and Chef’s John and Rob…she said she knew Chris and Nolan by reputation, and we introduced her to Corey. Kerry thanked Michael for letting them host the event and she then asked him if he would say a few words and then help her make a presentation. I started to laugh discretely and I got the death stare from Michael….

“Hey…I am gonna go grab a drink..you guys wanna go with me while Kerry and Michael chat”and I got an affirmative from all of the guys…well…with the exception of Michael who continued to glare at me…I told him we would be right back and I shook Kerry’s hand again leaving Michael there with her in the foyer.

There was a little room for us to belly up to the bar where we saw Diane sitting with a group of ladies. The bar at the Met had, at least, 45-50 stools or chairs…it was a very large part of the downstairs area of the restaurant, taking up about half of the floor space, and was shaped like an elongated horseshoe. It was a classic, old school bar and cocktail lounge…reminded you of a speakeasy from the 1920’s. It was updated but still had that feel and was THE classic Seattle Steakhouse. Diane and her “court” were to our left at the curve of the bar. She saw me and winked and then went back to her conversations. The guys and I all ordered Old Fashioneds…the staple and signature cocktail for this place and, with great interest, we watched as the bartender took great pains to craft each drink individually. I had ordered one for Michael, knowing he would need one and I would need a peace offering when I got back to him. I could see that Michael had made his way into the actual restaurant but, clearly, he would have a tough time getting through the crowd of well-wishers and over to us. I decided to be proactive and told the guys to hold our spot and we would be right back. I wandered through the crowd and shouldered up next to him and handed the drink over…he smiled the polite smile at me and continued yapping with some of the people…his had must have been sore from all the hand-shaking and we had only been inside a few minutes. When he had a chance he looked at me…

“Thanks for the drink ass”

“What…why you gotta be so grumpy already”

“You left me hanging…and clearly you knew ahead of time that they wanted me to talk”

“No, not really…but I had a hunch…you are the son…the appointed one…so why wouldn’t you be asked”

“You knew though huh?”

“I knew that it was something Diane did not want to do and, well, Queen trumps Prince…”

“You are so gonna get it later!”

“Yeah…about that”

“Nope…no discussion…it’s happening…you promised…and there is no backing out”

“I know… are you gonna at least…”

“Nope…end of discussion”

“Alrighty then…guess that is that”

“Yep…now let’s go drink…I have about a half hour before my penance starts…”

We both laughed. He was really just feigning his irritation…I mean I knew he hated speaking in public about personal things…oh, he was a master at selling a crowd…at teaching or leading a class…of talking about wine pairing with food in front of 500 people…but this setting…a very personal setting…not so much. As we were walking he told me that there was going to be a short presentation about Dave…it was going to be handled by one of Dave’s good friends on the Wine Commission Board…and during that presentation they would be naming 2 annual awards after Dave…one for the Winery of the Year and one for the Restaurant of the Year (as it related to relationship between the restaurant and the state’s wineries and commission). He didn’t go into detail about how the winners would be chosen…only saying that winners had been decided and would be announced at the big gala event the commission was holding on Saturday night. The gala would be attended by a virtual who’s who of the winery and restaurant and culinary worlds…a big deal every year in Seattle. I had never attended it but would be going as the Winery and our restaurant would be sharing a table with Chef John’s crew from Amore.

The time came and the crowd was quieted…I suspect there had to be about 300 people in the building. Even as big as the downstairs space was it was busting at the seams. There was a small bandstand in the far corner with a podium and microphone set up and that is where the “speeches” would be given from. I kept an eye on Diane from my vantage point. She, as always, was dressed to the nine’s as if she really was attending the Oscars or a movie premier. The thing I really enjoyed about her was the fact that she was class…all class…but as down home and genuine a person you would ever meet. She was not snobby or pretentious in any way and she liked fun…just to have fun. As I looked over I got a small feeling of sadness for her…we would not be here had Dave not died and, though I knew she would ultimately be ok, I felt bad that she was going through some of this stuff on her own. None the less, she was totally in her element and appreciating all the platitudes given to Dave and his family on that night.

The long, very boring introduction of Dave and the announcement of the award naming was complete and they called Michael up to say a few words…as his name was called he looked over at me…downed his drink…called me an ass…and headed up onto the podium. I caught a glimpse from Diane, and she winked and raised her glass towards me…I cracked up knowing I would be in trouble later.

Michael was very brief in his remarks…he choked up for a brief second when he talked a little about the last weeks he had with his dad but, all in all, he did a great job and thanked everyone for coming, for their support and well wishes…and told them what an honor it was for the family to have had not one, but two awards named in Dave’s honor. When done, Michael got a long ovation and he must have had to shake 200 hands as he walked back towards us carrying a plaque honoring his dad.

“You did great Mr. Lumberjack…it was almost like you have been out of the woods before…”

He started to pop off back at me but was caught up in the laughter from the guys…I knew it was only a matter of time…but even he was having a hearty laugh. I had already gotten him another cocktail and he took it from me and took a big swig.

“You know how much trouble you are in later right?”

“I am not sure what you mean”

“Oh…you will find out Mister…you will find out”

The guys all stood there, and their faces all showed that they were wondering what the hell we were talking about. I filled them in that Michael did not plan on speaking…that he was sort of set up for that by Diane…Chef John asked why that was a big deal and I told them all it was a big deal because I knew about it and did not share that info with Michael…

“Oh…well, me thinks you are in trouble Mr. Matt…Mr. Michael-he no like surprises”

I had no clue from, where, but Chef was speaking with some sort of goofy accent and clearly was trying to impress upon me that I was, in fact, in hot water. Everyone, including Michael, had a good laugh. We went back to the business of drinking and carrying on. As the evening progressed Michael pointed out that the relationship…or developing relationship between Chris and Corey seemed to be coming more out in the open. Several times we would see them touch each other…not in a sexual way…but in a way that, at least to us in the know, signaled that it was a little bit more than just a friendship. I was happy for Corey…he was a great guy…a great friend…and really deserved some happiness in his life. Though I didn’t know Chris all that well we were developing a pretty tight friendship and I felt as though he was a really good guy too…I thought it might be a really good match if they could get by the distance thing…something I, of course, was experiencing as well.