Whiskey Cove by Densie Frisino

Author:Densie Frisino
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2012-08-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

I stood before Josie and Chin. It seemed there was a definite order as to who was allowed into the inner sanctum of the hearth, established lifetimes ago, unchanging, among friends.

The kitchen bustled with the last-minute preparations. We were well orchestrated under the watchful eye of Mrs. McKenzie and her feisty bird. Josie sampled the broth as Alex fed in the various fish and crustaceans in her own divine order. Chin put his farm-fresh corn into boiling water, and Alex added a pinch of sugar, just to keep it sweet. I cut the bread into hefty chunks, having been shown exactly how thick by both women.

Charlie and Stew loomed in the doorway, encouraging us from their viewpoint with their longing stares. Alex, enjoying her role, put them to work carrying bowls and more glasses. The anticipation of the rich seafood soup wafted in the air.

Finally, we all sat at the table, eyeing the steaming corn, fresh bread, oysters, and large pot of soup. Like good children, we waited for the signal.

“Before we begin,” Alex was up once more, having already checked butter, salt, pepper, “I have a little surprise.”

She whisked away to the mumblings at the table and returned with her hands behind her back.

“Al, always the show.” Josie straightened her napkin in mock criticism. “What are you up to?”

The redhead smiled as she pulled the object from behind her back. “This,” a shocked silence fell as she held it high in plain view, “is a special treasure.”

“Oh, my God,” Josie’s hands went to her heart. “Is it?”

“In honor,” Mrs. McKenzie started up again, “of days gone by, I can think of no other friends I would like to share this with. Here, Josie.”

Alex placed the bottle in her old friend’s shaking hands. A little dirt still clung to the label, which now hung forward, caught on the glass by just the corner. Through the layer of stain on the old label, part of Josie’s family crest was visible.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Stew’s voice was soft, reverent.

Josie’s eyes were wide with wonder behind her thick glasses. “Look, everybody,” she displayed the bottle to the others, “it’s my Victor’s.”

Her excitement caught in her throat as she now pulled the bottle close to her bosom, as if the long cylinder held her beloved husband. A single tear, filled with their years of separation, slid from under the dark frames and rolled down her full, round cheek.

“I can’t …” Emotion held Josie’s speech.

We waited for the receding tide.

She blinked. “Where did you find it?”

“I didn’t.” Alex folded her hand over her soup bowl, waiting before she spoke again, ensuring her audience’s full attention. “Jean did.”

I shot straight up at the mention of my name. All eyes were fixed on me.

“She cleaned the garden and dug this up.”

I realized now the object leaving speckles of dirt on Josie’s blouse was the mud-encrusted object I had pulled from the earth on my first day of digging.

“Then she’ll have the first glass.” Josie was up now and had taken her prize to Stew to open.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.