He tapped on the door a couple of times, and when he got no answer, he let himself inside.He found Reaves and Charles sitting at the table in front of the bay window in the nook just off the kitchen.
The contrast between the scene before him here and what Reaves had walked into at his place yesterday wasn't lost on him.This place was a home.Reaves and Charles were family.
Ollie gave himself a mental shake.They were as good as family to him, too.It wasn't as though he was all alone in the world.He had Peanut and Butter.And Rosa and Luigi might live in the cottage rather than in the house with him, but they were like family.
"Hey."Reaves greeted him with a grin."Come sit down.There are pancakes, but there won't be for long if you don't hurry up."
Charles nodded."There are plenty more, and there's sausage and bacon in the warming drawer if you'd like any."He glanced at Reaves."I don't think there's any scrambled egg left, though."
"Thanks."Ollie took a plate from the sideboard and sat down to join them.
"And how are things with you?"Charles asked.
"I'm doing well, thanks.How about you?"He was surprised that Charles seemed a little less chipper than usual.
"Everything's fine, thank you."
"Are you sure about that?"
Charles dabbed at his mouth with his napkin."Everything will be fine.How about that?"
Ollie glanced at Reaves, who nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"Do you mind if I ask what's going on?"Ollie asked.
"Nothing that I shouldn’t have expected," said Charles."I think I’ve known for a while that one day I'd have to face the fact that I've fallen so far behind the times that I might not be able to catch back up."
"That's not true, Dad," said Reaves."And I've already told you — I'll help.I'll do whatever you need me to."
Ollie's heart squeezed in his chest as he watched the look that Charles gave his son.
"I know you would, and I'm grateful.But at this point, Reaves, I'm not sure that I even know what can be done."
Ollie frowned as he watched them talk."Do you mind if I ask what we're talking about?"
Charles chuckled."I'm sorry, I should explain.We had the sales figures in.They're not what I would hope."
"But your wines are wonderful," Ollie protested."Why would sales be down?"
"The distributor who just dropped us informed me that the House of St.James isn't the...vibe—" Charles shook his head "— I think that's the word he used.That people are looking for in their wines these days."He sighed."And I'm afraid I don't even understand the term well enough to know what to do about it."He set his napkin down on the table and pushed his chair back."So, I think this might be the point where I have to throw in the towel."
"Dad, no," exclaimed Reaves."I keep telling you — I'll do whatever it takes."
"I know you would, son.I know that.But unfortunately, neither of us knows what it would take."
Ollie cleared his throat.He didn't know the first damn thing about wine.He'd never wanted to.But for the first time in his life, he wished he did.
"Surely there's something that can be done.I'll help, too."
Charles tilted his head to the side."That's a very kind offer, young Oliver, but considering that you own an estate that has to be at least fifty times the size of this place and you've never shown an interest in all these years, you're not going to be able to persuade me that you suddenly care about wine now.Or about the wine business."
"I wouldn't even try.We both know that would be a lie.But I hope you know it's true when I say that I care about you."
"I do."Charles got to his feet and came to stand between them, grasping each of their shoulders."I'm not totally defeated yet.But I simply don't know the path that might lead me out of this mess."
"Us, Dad," said Reaves."Leadusout.We're going to get out of this mess.I know I haven't been around as much as I should have been.I know I haven't helped you with the business."
Charles gave his shoulder a shake."And that's how it should be.You've been living your life, pursuing your dream — flying.I won't tie you to the ground to help keep my dream alive.I've had my turn."He stared out the windows at the rows of vines."I've had a good run.If I keep this place going as a hobby, that'll be fine.As long as I can still produce enough bottles for my own consumption and maybe a few to hand out at the holidays."He shrugged."Anyway, I'm sure you boys have things you want to do.More enjoyable things than listening to my troubles."
