Story 6 - nectar

The clock couldn't move fast enough. My best friend was due in ten minutes, and I'd been ready for almost an hour.

An hour and twenty minutes. I was bloody pathetic.

Finally, the door flew open, and Max's voice blustered, "Victor! Where are you?"

I leapt off the sofa and ran to the front door. "Here, buffoon!"

We hugged, and I giggled when my nose barely touched his chest, and said, "My gods, missed you, bear!"

He growled, and said, "You too, twink."

I stuck out my tongue, darted ahead of him into the living room and we collapsed on the sofa together. Max beamed at me, "So what's the plan?"

"St Emilion grand cru reserve, 1997."

He grinned, "I have no idea what it means, but it sounds expensive."

I leaned in and whispered, "It was from Joseph's bottom shelf. I wonder if he misses it already."

He laughed, "He's a snob, dear, the bottle was just there for bragging rights. Besides, it's a fair price for cheating on you."

Cheater... It still hurt so bad. Max pulled me into a hug, and said, "Sorry, I shouldn't have talked about it. Are you okay?"

I pushed away from him, wiped my tears away. I said, "It's been breathing for about 15 minutes. Do you think that's enough?"

Max shrugged. "How the hell do I know? I'm just a common chum according to Joseph the high and mighty."

I frowned, "You really hated him, eh?"

He bopped my shoulder, "Oh yeah. But you loved him so I tolerated him. Now we can hate him together."

I beamed at him and leapt up to get some picardie glasses I had bought when I moved house. No more long stemmed glasses for me. Ha!

I poured us both a nearly full glass of wine and handed Max his.

I sat down again and inhaled the scent. "Damn, this smells delicious."

He inhaled too. "The nectar of the gods!"

I took a tentative sip. "I taste... grapes."

He took a sip too, "I taste... sunshine. I have to say, this is some delicious wine. How many bottles did you nab?"

"Just the one."

He shrugged, "You are just too kind, my man. Next time, steal the whole rack!"

I mumbled, "Next time is a long way off."

He grinned at me, and said, "Well... That depends, how do you feel about carpenters?"

My eyes widened. "No. No, you are not setting me up with one of your artist friends!"

"But he's fun. And sweet. And gives big bear hugs like I do."

I took a sip of my wine and sighed, "Damn, this is so good."

"Told you, nectar of the gods."

I grabbed my phone and searched for the wine. I spluttered. "What the hell, why is it so expensive?"

"Shut up and drink your wine. Now, more about Tom..."

I laughed, and felt a lightness in me I hadn't felt in a long, long time.

I would be okay.