Read Online The Truth is in the Wine by Curtis Bunn - Free Book Online Page A

mother’s approval.
    â€œPerfect,” his mom said. “Things have a way of working out.”
    They took a table near the bar and the server distributed menus.
    â€œCan I take the liberty and ordering something to drink for everyone?” Paul asked.
    No one contested, so he ordered a bottle of St. Supery Chardonnay, 2009. “It’s buttery and has a citrus taste, but not sweet,” Paul explained. “They have a winery in Napa. We have to check it out.”
    â€œSounds like it will go well with a burger,” his mom said.
    â€œSee, you’re trying to be funny, but it actually does go well with beef,” Paul said. “Usually I’d go with a red wine with beef. But this chardonnay will work because for me, it’s really—it’s about what tastes good.”
    â€œWhat do you think, Mother?” Ginger asked. “When is the last time you had a burger?”
    â€œProbably when you were a baby,” she answered. “Maybe a burger would be good.”
    â€œHow about it?” Paul asked his mother.
    â€œFine,” Brenda said.
    And so, they all ordered burgers. The wine came and Paul poured and then made a toast as everyone lifted a glass.
    â€œHappy Thanksgiving,” he started. “To love and family and happiness.”
    â€œThat’s it?” Ginger asked.
    â€œIsn’t that enough?” he answered.
    â€œYou know what? You’re right,” she said, and they all tapped glasses, even Madeline and Brenda.
    Paul and Brenda were into the football game on the TV in front of their table like two buddies would be. The mother was as passionate about the Redskins as the son, making commentary with every play and hanging on to every action on the field.
    When a commercial came, Paul noticed that it was still awkward with the in-laws not speaking to each other. At the same time, the more they sipped, the more the wine began to take a toll.
    â€œY’all need to keep some of that noise down,” Madeline finally said to Paul and Brenda.
    â€œAre we loud?” Paul asked. He had not eaten in ten hours, so the wine went straight to his head. All of them, in fact, were buzzing.
    â€œYeah, you are, a little,” Ginger said.
    â€œWell, when you watch a football game, you can’t sit here all quiet,” Brenda said. “And there’s hardly anyone in here. We’re not bothering anybody.”
    â€œWell, you’re bothering me,” Madeline said.
    â€œOh, I’m sorry,” Brenda said. “I didn’t realize your ears were so sensitive.”
    â€œWell, they are,” Madeline said.
    â€œPerhaps you should go on the other side—there’s no one over there,” Brenda said. “It’s perfectly quiet. You won’t be missed.”
    â€œWait,” Ginger said before her mom responded. “On the plane, you all were laughing and talking and getting along. What were you talking about? What was so funny?”
    Her questions stumped them. They wanted to remember, but couldn’t. The wine had them going. They looked at each other and laughed.
    â€œYou don’t remember?” Brenda asked.
    â€œWell, I think… Weren’t we talking about… Didn’t you say…” Madeline said, unable to complete a thought.
    â€œOh, I remember one thing,” Brenda said. “You said your husband died and I said I wished mine had died.”
    â€œOh, yeah,” Madeline said, laughing.
    â€œPaul, pour us some more wine,” Brenda told her son.
    â€œMa, you said you wish Dad was dead?” Paul asked. He was serious. He maintained a close relationship with his father, who retired to Palm Beach, Florida. He had planned to remarry in the next year.
    â€œHe is dead to me,” Brenda said. She reached for the bottle, but it was empty. The server was standing there to alert them the food would arrive shortly.
    â€œBring us another bottle of this,” Brenda to