Private Universe

I spent two days talking to Harold about everything. My dad, my mom, and my grandparents. When I asked if my dad really loved my mom there was this crazy sparkle in his eyes that told me my dad loved my mother more than anything else in the entire world. It made me smile and want that love even more.

When my dad told his dad about my mom he was immediately disowned. My dad and his dad never spoke another word to each other. My grandpa had apparently never known about me or the photographs. He was way to busy with his booming business. He owned a vineyard that had been passed down from generations.

Harold told me that my great great grandfather was the one who bought the land and started his own winery. I had to admit that I was impressed. I figured the family business was some kind of old time restaurant. Harold had given me a tour of the vineyard. I did not believe that one person could own so much land until I had walked the entirety of the vineyard.

In those two days Harold became a good friend. He answered everything I asked and he was willing to let me think things over before I asked anything else. During the middle of the second day we got to talking about my mother.

"She was gorgeous in her day. I remember your dad coming home practically star struck." He grinned at me.

"Was my dad attractive?"

"Oh yes. Before he met your mother he was the most sought out bachelor."

"Really?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes. He brought home different women every night. He never slept with them but he would court them, I guess." He smiled over the table between us.

"Did he do the same for my aunt?"

"Oh no. I'm sure he planned on it. But your mother opened the door when he came for her. And well, you know the rest."

I smiled at the thought. "Have you ever been married, Harold?"

"Yes. She was the love of my life. High school sweetheart." He looked off towards the vineyard, lost in thought.

"What happened?" I asked.

"She died."

"I'm sorry."

He suddenly grinned at me. "Don't be. She lived her life more than anyone I know. She took risks and wasn't worried about much. She found out she couldn't have children and it made her more reckless. It made me love her more." I could see the age lines from years of smiling on his face.

"What kinds of things?"

"She hopped moving trains for fun." He grinned. "She went sky diving. We planned on traveling the world but my job kept me here." He sighed.

"Where did you guys want to go?"

"Our dream trip would have been to travel to Australia, the UK, and South America. We also didn't have the money for a trip like that. But if I could get one last wish it would be to visit all those places before I die." He smiled at me. "More coffee?"

I looked at me empty cup. "No, thanks. I think I've had enough coffee for one day. I'll never get to sleep."

"Alright. Well, I'm off to bed. I can't do late nights anymore."

"Okay. Goodnight, Harold."

He walked back inside taking the cups with him. I couldn't help but smile at how his last wish was to travel the world so that he could experience the things he would have liked to do with his wife. Who also happened to be the love of his life. I pulled the blanket around me as the night air grew slightly colder. I felt my phone ring and I struggled to get it out of my pocket.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Miss Evans." Ugh. The lawyer.

"What do you want?" I had become very snippy with him since the first time I talked to him. He never left me alone. It was starting to get creepy.

"The reading of the will is set to be read at the funeral. Which will be the eleventh of August."

"What?" I wasn't suppose to be spending that much time here. I was seriously going to kill someone.

"It has just been set. Maybe after wards we could get a coffee or something."

"No. I came for the will and that's about it. I'm leaving after I've heard what's going on."

"That's too bad. I would love to have coffee with you. You seem like a sweet girl."

I wanted to gag. "No, thank you, Mr. Reynolds." And I hung up the phone. What a creep. I felt my phone vibrate again an was really excited by the number. "Hi, Alex."

"Hey, Zooey. How have you been?"

"Fine. Other than the creepy lawyer who is trying to take me to coffee after the funeral." I sighed. I really wanted to be back on that tour bus.

"What?" I could hear a hint of angry and jealousy in his voice.

"Calm down. I told him no. He's creepy. And I haven't even met him in person yet."

"Oh." He sounded relieved. "That's good."

"Yeah, except the funeral in on the eleventh."

"You're going to miss all the Canadian dates?"

"It's looking like it. I'm sorry, Alex. I really did want to see you guys perform in Canada."

"It's okay. I understand." He sounded upset.

"I'll make it up to you." I said grinning.

"How?"

"I dunno. I'll make you the best turkey sand which in the world."

"Turkey sand which?"

"Mhmm. My specialty."

I heard him laugh. "Fine. But that is only partial payment."

"Partial? What else do I have to do?"

"Not sure, yet. I'll think of something." I could practically feel the grin he was giving me through the phone.

"Fine. I'm going to bed because it's nearly dark. I'll talk to you later."

"Alright. Goodnight, Zooey."

"Goodnight, Alex." I hung up the phone and sent a quick text to Jack.

I need to call you and I need your help. Don't scream my name if I call okay?

I got a quick reply and dialed his number. He picked up on the second ring. "What's up?" I heard him whisper.

"I want to surprise Alex.The funeral is set for the eleventh of August and he was really looking forward to me being at one of the Canada shows. I need your help surprising him." I said quickly.

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"I'm going to buy a plane ticket and fly out there the night of the thirteenth. You have to get your driver to come pick me up. But Alex needs to be sleeping or something. I'll surprise him that night and we can spend the fourteenth together since you guys have the day off. Then I can see the show on the fifteenth."

"Jesus. Thought this out, have you?"

"Only just this second."

"Really?" I could feel him grinning.

"Yes. I've memorized the dates you play. Makes things easy."

"Alright. I'll talk to the bus driver."

"Thanks, Jack." I smiled.

"Anytime, Zooey."