Page 2 of Hammer and Hops

“No, that’s not necessary.”

“Frank. Don isn’t coming.” She directed me into the dining room, ignoring what I’d had to say as usual.

“That’s a shame. You can take a box—”

“Nope. Not going to see him.” I had to put a stop to this now, or I’d be hearing about Donny all night.

“Tomorrow or the next day, then.” Dad waved a pair of tongs in the air in front of him.

Mom saw it all over my face before I could clarify. “Everett, honey. What’s wrong? Did you two break up? Goodness. I don’t know if you can’t keep a man or if no one can see your worth. You don’t let people in, honey…” She kept going on, but I didn’t listen to a bit of it. Every one of her little compliments was a side-dig at me. I couldn’t keep a man. I couldn’t show someone what I was worth. I was always the one in the wrong. How about Donny was just a dill-hole who wanted to party all the time, and I wasn’t into that. I had too much to do and other things that mattered more in my life—like the brewery.

Thankfully, dinner moved into more pleasant conversation as it was served. My dad sure knew how to grill a mean steak. So moist, juicy, and tender that it would be a crime to put any sauce on it. He did drop a pat of garlic-and-herb-infused butter in the center of it, which only elevated it more. I had no clue how he’d become such a good chef. That wasn’t even his background. No, he was a computer science guy, which was a complete contrast in my mind.

Mom, having eventually run out of steam on the subject of my qualities, good or bad, moved on to her colleagues and what they contributed to the education field, also evaluating whether they were good or bad, so far this school year. I was happier with her judging them than me. The whole time, I stuffed my mouth with steak and potatoes that tasted like they were made in heaven and nodded in all the right places. It was the best I could hope for in this situation.

“Mm, son. You are not going to eat like this out in the sticks.” Dad took another bite as he casually reminded me of one of the many things I was holding onto that I shouldn't. The grudges just kept getting bigger.

“You are probably right.” I wiped my face with my napkin, trying to think of a way to change the conversation. I wanted to at least try to enjoy what was probably my last night with them for a while, maybe until next year, not discuss my upcoming move to Foggy Basin. That would only get Mom riled up again.

“Don’t know why you have to move so far away.” And here she goes… “They don’t have beer in Carmichael? Hell, you could even go down to Freeport or Elk Grove. Those are all drivable.” Mom rolled her eyes, bringing up the subject for probably the millionth time. She didn’t understand and probably never would, but it was my career and my decisions. I only wanted them to respect that, but they didn't.

“They are, and I’m sure they have beer. An oversaturated market, in fact. I’ve tried to explain this.”

“Well, tell me again. I’m trying to understand.” She wasn’t. No, she was trying to talk me out of it, but that wasn’t going to happen. The wheels were already in motion and had been for quite some time. Hell, the plans were already in place for moving the crop to the field out there. And the last of the equipment would be purchased tomorrow at the event. This was happening, despite their efforts to stop me.

“I’m not going through this again. I’m here to enjoy dinner, Mom, not talk about my plans.”

“Plans? What plans? You’re running around by the seat of your pants.”

“That doesn’t even make sense. I already have Lukas on board, and…no. I’m not getting sucked up into this. Either change the subject, or I’m leaving.”

My dad put his hand over my mother’s, in an obvious attempt to get her to stop arguing. She looked down at her plate and sighed. “Fine. I just love you. And care about you.” I did not doubt those things. It was obvious she loved me. That was never the problem.

“I love you, too. It’s going to be fine, Mom.” I didn’t know how this new brewery would turn out for sure, but I’d probably die trying to make it work.

After dinner, I drove home and was so proud of myself for waiting until I was inside to start rehashing everything in my head. I didn’t want to think about Donny or run through all the things I didn’t like about him anyway, or all the things I’d miss. Damn him anyway.

I buried my head under my pillow and let it go until later. I had a big day coming up and couldn’t waste a minute of it thinking about him.

I stopped to check in with Lukas before heading to the convention. As soon as I walked into the back of the restaurant where he currently worked, he grabbed my arm, pulling me into an office. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Uh, nothing. Why are you panicking? You’re going to make me panic.”

“No, no, no. We are not panicking.” He patted my arm. We both had a lot at stake with this brewery venture, and it understandably made us both testy. “I see it all over your face, though. Something is going on.”

I immediately deflated. Of course he could tell. We’d been friends for a long time, and he knew me better than anyone, even my parents, which meant I caved fast. Even if it had nothing to do with work. “Yeah, it’s Donny. Ugh. He broke up with me last night.”

“Oh, Sweetie. You don’t need that loser anyway. Freakin’ frat boy wannabe. You’re better off without him. And good thing you found this out now. But you know he was never going to follow you to Foggy Basin, right?”

“You’re right. I know. I know. Still hurts.”

He hugged me, and his hugs were fantastic. He was a big guy who loved food and drink. He loved all of it too, from fast-food crap with soda to elegant meals with fancy wine. Hugging him was like hugging a giant marshmallow without being sticky. “Time heals everything, my friend.”

“I know that too.” I gave him a smirk to let him know I'd be fine. "But it never runs the speed I want. Takes too long to forget but its never enough to do what you want."

"Isn't that the truth. Have you put in your notice at work yet? I'm waiting until a week out, because these losers will be like out of here then, and I'll miss some pay."

"Really hoping we won't need that pay, but no, I haven't, and I have an even to work on tomorrow."