From where I'm sitting, I can't tell if Helena has fallen asleep or just has her eyes closed. She's leaning back on a black wicker chair with her head tilted towards the sun. Despite my insistence she put on sunscreen (which she did), wear sunglasses (which she also did) and put on her little bucket hat (which she begrudgingly did). She keeps her arms in the path of the sunlight and stretches her legs out in front of her even though the large umbrella covering our table does its best to shade us. Moments like these I think she must thoroughly enjoy modern life and having so many naked appendages exposed to the sun.
I take a sip of my sparkling wine (not champagne as Helena reminds me) and let the bubbles slide down my throat. I put my flute on the appropriate coaster to match the drink I've had, making a mental note to pick up a bottle before we leave. This is our last stop of the day and thus far, the most pleasant winery we have visited.
"Hey." I say with a gentle prod of the arm.
"Shhhh...tanning."
"Shhhh? Helena, me talking has nothing to do with the sun reaching your arms."
"Ambiance."
I do a quick check to look at our dinner plans with one of my phone's apps. One more pre-dinner beverage couldn't possibly hurt. I poke her once more, this time with my cell phone. "You want another drink?"
Helena angles her sunglasses down towards the table to assess the drinks lined up before her. We both have one sample we have yet to touch and upon noticing this, removes her sunglasses and reaches for the untouched flute. I spend half a second trying to assess whether or not Helena is drunk, but then I remember she has been imbibing on swigs and flasks of cognac, brandy, gin and whisky since she was a child. She's fine, just dazed by the sun for a moment. Helena modestly raises her drink, looking at mine and motioning with her eyes. I pick mine up as well and smile. Smiles come to me so easily when I'm around her.
"Myka," Helena gives me a serious look that has me worried for a moment, but she soon smiles right back at me, "thank you for today. This is just what we needed."
We gently knock our glasses together, never losing each other's gaze. There is nothing better than when we have time off in whatever city we're visiting to explore and spend time together. Today is one of those fortunate moments where we have taken the afternoon to do something, especially something we can't do back in South Dakota.
"Cin cin."
"Cheers." I look at her as she sips her wine. A couple of gulps and the flute is empty. Both flutes.
We linger at our table a bit longer, enjoying the sun and scenery as we settle our bill. Heading towards the car, I remind Helena we're off to dinner and she has a ten-minute drive to tidy herself up with all of that sunscreen and her messy hat head.
"C'mon, let's fill your stomach with some food to absorb the...champagne."
"Sparkling...wine." Helena deliberately and slowly brings to my attention.
I open the passenger door for her and Helena plops down in her seat. "Just get in the car." I say with a grin.