"That's Paris for you. I wish I could shrug it off, but I've seen many chefs become unemployable because of some critics."
"And that's why you came back?"
"Yeah. So now I don't have a career, and my money is stuck in France. And while Pierre has agreed to buy me out, he's making it really difficult and blaming bureaucracy for not getting it done."
"Wow. That really sucks."
"Yeah, I guess neither of us has had it easy. And so much for not talking about the past," I joke.
He smiles. "Come on, let me show you something."
I follow him inside a big building that looks like a barn on the outside, but when we step inside, it's all shiny machinery and…that smell.
"Is that maple syrup?"
Skyler grins. "Not just any maple syrup. It'sthebest maple syrup you'll ever taste."
I see a shelf stocked with bottles. "Wait…that's the maple syrup my mom has at home. Maple Sky…fuck me…youownMaple Sky?"
He shrugs, and I laugh. "You better give me one of those bottles because I've just told you my sad loser story."
He hands me the bottle. "You're not a loser, Judson."
We talk more about his sugar-making business and the awards he's won. He asks me about Europe and how different it is from the States.
When I get in the rental to drive back home with my bottle of Maple Sky, I feel lighter than I've felt in a long time. Maybe even since I left Vermont.
Crazy, huh?
8
Skyler
It's open mic night at Vino, so the bar is filling up already, even though it's too early.
Yep, you know you've reached higher levels of adulting when your group of friends time the outing to catch the first singer and then go home nice and early because it's a school night.
I slide into the booth next to Wyatt and Andy. Noah and Anita are both out with us today, which is a small miracle because they're still struggling to leave Ollie with Anita's parents.
They're lovely people, but I get it. I find it hard to say goodbye to Mr. Cuteface, and I'm not even his parent.
"You look like shit, man," Andy says.
"Thanks. Just what a girl wants to hear after changing her outfit five times," I say with a hint of humor. Just a hint because I don't think I have the energy for more.
I'm fucking exhausted.
"No, seriously. Are you okay?" Noah asks, and I see his face is laced with guilt.
In the last few years, as Maple Sky has gotten off the ground, Noah has been there for me, helping me increase the number of taps before I was able to install the tubing system. He was right there collecting gallons of sap from my maple trees into large vats that we carried all the way back to the sugar house.
More recently, he helped me with the setup of the sugar house. He knows it can be a one-man job most of the year, but I always need more help during tapping season.
This year, with having Ollie and getting a job promotion, he can't help me.
I understand it, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, this might be the last year I'm doing it all on my own. That's what I hope, at least.
With my loan paid off, I'll be able to afford to expand the tubing system and hire someone to help me next year.
