Always in Watch Hill : A Small Town Romance by Sara Celi & S. Celi

Author:Sara Celi & S. Celi [Celi , Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lowe Interactive Media, LLC
Published: 2021-07-10T16:00:00+00:00

SIX

JUSTIN

I’d forgotten how much I liked Great Miami Brewing.

Located on an unincorporated slip of land between Watch Hill and Cincinnati, the place featured a small brewery with about twenty different flavors on tap, a tasting room serving pub fare, a large sand volleyball pit with four courts, an arcade with classic games, and a two-story deck along the back of the main building. Before the pandemic, before everything, I had spent a decent number of Sundays in the tasting room watching football on the big screens behind the main bar, and one summer I even joined a men’s volleyball league.

Great Miami was a gem of a place, and when I walked in behind Lynne, I regretted how much time had passed since my last dinner there. That was one of the hard parts about a pandemic year—time kept marching on, no matter how I chose to spend it.

“Let’s get that table over there.” I took a deep breath and pointed at a two-top near the garage doors that opened to the deck. “That one has a great view of the creek.”

“Perfect. I was thinking the same thing.”

Lynne led me across the dining room and I smiled at a few familiar faces, some of whom I recognized from the few times I’d ventured off the property, but most of whom didn’t recognize me. Not that it surprised me—the pandemic had done more than just age me. I’d lost weight, grown out my hair, and didn’t shave as much as I used to.

We took our seats and I handed Lynne one of the two laminated menus wedged between the condiments and a napkin dispenser.

“I can’t remember which beer of theirs I like the best,” I admitted. “Been such a long time since I’ve been here. Too long really.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re back at it.

“Me too.” You have no idea. I exhaled and let my shoulders relax. “Me too.”

“I usually go for a dark ale.” She perused the list, which took up one side. The other listed the food selections and daily specials. “I like a full-bodied flavor.”

“Can’t argue with that.” After a moment, I placed my menu back on the table. “I wonder what it takes to get a server around here.”

She glanced around the dining room. “Come to think of it, they look pretty short-staffed.”

“I saw online the other day that a lot of places are having that issue. Shame, considering what they have been though, first the virus, and the lockdowns.” I stood. “What are you thinking? I’ll take our orders to the bar.”

Lynne requested the summer blueberry ale and an order of mozzarella sticks. I crossed the restaurant again and signaled to the woman closest to the bar. “Can I get two blueberry ales and some mozzarella sticks?”

“Sure. Any dipping sauces?”

“Marinara and ranch, please.”

“Coming right up. If you want to wait a few minutes, I can bring it out to you here and you can take it to the table.”

“Sure thing,” I replied, figuring she suggested this because of the low number of waitstaff.

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