so i went to the package store yesterday, because that’s what you do in preparation for your son’s 1st birthday party. (ok, well that’s what I DO). paul and i frequent this package store as it is on base, and thus cheaper than your “civilian” package store, so we’ve come to know curtis, the manager. also, we have a kegerator and curtis keeps our kegerator full and happy. basically, we give curtis a lot of business. (i swear, we’re not drunk all the time!)

yesterday was a disgusting day. rainy, windy, cold. just nasty. and this is what took place…

Curtis: “ah, back again… whatcha got for me now?”

Me: (pulling out list) “6 of corona light… 6 of heineken… 12 of sam light… paul’s getting the keg tomorrow.”

Curtis: “and…..”

Me: (smiling) “yes, wine too… chardonnay for my mother-in-law… lotsa pinot grigio for me and a dear friend.”

Curtis: “ok well if you get 6 of the big bottles, i’ll give you 10 percent off.”

Me: (raising an eye-brow) “well then YES… 2 big bottles of chard… 4 BIG BOTTLES OF PINOT to make it 6.”

(we walk up to the register after loading my cart with these items.)

Curtis: (ringing me up) “what’s the occasion this time?”

Me: “jackson is turning 1… we’re having a party… both sets of family… eek!”

Curtis: (husky laugh) “well then you’ll need something to get your through the next few days… how about some hawaiian beer for you and paul to share tonight?”

Me: (perplexed but in love and hearing steel drums in my mind) “hawaiian beer?”

Curtis: “yup. just got it in. i’ll give you a taste.”

(goes back to fridge. pulls out bottle and two plastic cups. we stand at the counter and drink together….)

Me: “i’ll take it.”

Curtis: “that’s my girl.”

(he rings me up… FINALLY, and as i put the hood on my rain coat up, he says to me, laughingly.)

“DON’T LET IT BE SO LONG BEFORE I SEE YOU GUYS IN HERE AGAIN!”

ps- it was noon.