Chapter 4 - Hobbies

Hector explained with a soft voice when he said, "Welcome to the world of wine and brandy making. You approach the process with love, passion and skill. Wine making is simple. Nonetheless, it is an art. Taste is based on an individual's choice of sweetness and twang. You noticed the jugs of many sizes as you progressed through the underground facilities. Most fruit wines can initially be made in small quantities of up to seven gallons in less than thirty days. The amount of yeast and sugar determine longer periods up to a year, Larger quantities require containers of stainless steel, porcelain glass, plastics or enameled interiors. These containers are known by several names. I like the word vats."

I said, "I recently read that adding lemon juice, sugar and different types of yeast add to the flavor."

Allie said, "My Dad makes homemade strawberry wine. Sometimes he lets it age for a year. Occasionally, the wine ferments only a month."

I said, "Hector, you could teach wine making in junior college."

"I'm just a dumb jock. I'm not a public speaker."

"You spoke from your heart. You portray wine making like an expert. I bet you can describe the operation to anyone. Would you explain how each piece of equipment is used in the procedures."

"Joey and I need to finish the laundry and eat lunch. We can get away about 1:30 this afternoon."

"That's a date."

It's not a date! You are demonstrating how to create wine."

"Bad choice of words. I mean the time is okay. You are misinterpreting what I said. Why so defensive. You suggested you wanted to discover more about fruit wine using strawberries."

"I don't want to date you. You have a bad rep. My parents advised me about you. Allie confirmed it with her statement earlier. Perhaps Henry or my Dad can fill me in about the equipment."

I will be glad to help you, or you can get many people in this community to assist you." He cast his eyes down, frowned and walked away.

"I am sorry Hector. I did not mean to insult you. You are a gentleman, and I asked you to assist me." My stomach churned, shoulders slumped, but my cheeks warmed.

He turned facing me. He smiled, his eyes glistened, and body straightened.

At lunch, Daddy brought Hector and Henry home with him. He said, they helped him replace and seal between the glass and frames in the greenhouses. Daddy said, "We have all this food given by our neighbors. They will aid in eating before it spoils."

Henry said, "We're glad to help,"

"You refused to accept my money for the work you did for the past two days,"

"You're family. Hector and I don't charge kin."

"Angelica, the boys tell me you wanted to explore the old wine cellars. I worked in them with my mother ran the operation. She was the boy's great aunt. Their fathers work there as boys. Of course, that was illegal. We all could have been arrested."

"Daddy, you never told me stories of that time."

"It's part of mt past. I'm not proud of the activities. We experienced no fear, because we were young. Momma was a tough boss and taught us to work hard. The depression caused many to lose everything they own, but we thrived. Momma helped many in the county with food, housing and jobs when they had no money. Hector and Henry's fathers saved their money and bought farmland. As the country recovered, jobs from the farms help others to improve. It started with momma."

"Dad, you told us about the greenhouses, but failed to mention the illicit part."

"It was a different time. Momma never recognized it was wrong. She and several determined ladies continued the unlicensed labor until her death.

Hector and Henry demonstrated the equipment. Daddy joined us in the exploration. His step quickened and he strutted inside the structure. A smile erupted into a laugh. He rubbed the articles like precious jewels.

I chuckled until I hurt. Soon, each of us hooted and hugged our midsections.

Daddy, Joey, Hector and Henry bonded. Henry and Hector hugged me and I returned their affection.

Hector said, "Many use the methods to create homemade wine and brandy. Thus, Strawberry Shine is still alive." The closeness mellowed me. My gaze switch from Hector and Henry. I sighed and my heart fluttered. What happened to me? I stuttered when they spoke to me. My mind swirled.

Daddy said, "Girl you're blushing, which one you like?"

I muttered, "Both!" Neither heard me.

"You choose the one you like the most.

I frowned, spun in the opposite direction, and my breath expanded. Allie asked, "Anything wrong."

"Nope."

"Oh. My gosh, you 'gotta' a crush!

"No!"

I said no, but how could I explain? A tear rolled down my cheek. Dad suggested we meet at Momma's Café and Store for frozen custard. He said, "I'll pay."

We did and met Beth. He invited her to join us.

We all laughed. Dad scooted two chairs closer to the booth. We scrunched into the benches. Father sat in a chair, and Hector plumped in the chair next to him. Henry pulled a third chair from another table and sat next to me. Trish an Allie squeezed next to Joey We all ate a cup of vanilla custard with strawberry toping.

Dad disclosed more of the Depression Era he endured. I believe he embellished much of what he said,

The kids shared what life harbored for a teenage student in West Tennessee. Most of which they exaggerated. All of us seemed relaxed. The time pressed into my mind. Somewhere, I gained a new prospective I obtained since leaving the St Louis area.

Allie ask Hector how his college courses were progressing. He said. "I expect to get my degree with a major in Financing. I will finish high school and college at the same time. We quietened around the table.

Daddy interrupted the silence. He ask, "Hector, did I hear Allie correctly, you are going to graduate from high school and college at the same time?"

"Yes Mam. My Daddy made donations to Lambuth College and Memphis State. They both offered courses at night in Jackson. Also, I attend classes every summer. I began my collage work after my fifteenth birthday. My Daddy claimed the practical knowledge would prepare me for a future in finance. Thus, I'm on track."

My mouth gaped. My assumptions about sports and the level of intelligence altered. Hector must be gifted.

I axked, "With football and college, how do you manage your time?"

"I hire tutors who prepare me to test out of courses. I made arrangement with my coach to let me to work out on weekends. It takes planning to make everything work. I hired good managers to run my businesses and farms. Most are fifty or older. I try not to micro-manage them. I meet with them Saturday afternoon. I have an assistant who oversees the day to day activities."

Momma interjected one of her platitudes and said, "New friends molded good memories." Maybe my world improved. I remained vacant on selecting Hector or Henry as my special friend. Ralph ran into the café and cuddled under my legs. He bumped Hector, Henry and Beth's legs along they way. Once he settled, his breath quietened. He smirked and flopped his tail across my shoes.

I stared at Hector alternating with Henry. The choice alluded me. Daddy stared at me. He wiggled his nose, grinned and whispered, "Which one?" I shook my shoulders, nodded left and right and faced down. The conversations remained cheerful. Henry and Hector must have made peace. No arguments erupted.

Momma McGhee came to the table an asked, "Anyone want a refill on the drinks, no charge." Henry and Hector indicated they did. Everyone else quietened. She handed an itemized bill to Daddy.

Momma McGhee moseyed to the fountain and poured two drinks and delivered the colas to Henry and Hector. She stared at me and said, "You must be Angelica?"

"Yes maam, this is my brother Joey, and he is my Daddy." I pointed to each of them. I beamed as I spoked.

"Your daddy and I grew up on the same road. My Mom and I worked for your grandmother. Your dad and I used bicycles and mule drawn wagons to make deliveries. I married Hector's daddy after his momma died."

Hector's eyes scanned the floor, and his breathing deepened. He dropped his jaw and a frown framed his lips. He remained silent and shrugged his shoulders.

"I imagine you have stories to embarrass my Daddy."

"Maybe a few but I'll keep them to myself for a while."

Daddy said, "She knows that if she shares my sorted tales, I have more to divulge on her. Really, she was a good girl in her youth. Besides, I want to maintain our friendship."

Everyone but Hector laughed. His eyes moved to his clinched hands, and he scowled. I wanted to hug him but refrained not wanting to embarrass him. My imagination journeyed in a few directions. I lacked understanding him well enough to decipher his expressions. After all, we are not even friends.