Chapter Seven Fiona #2
I was thinking, for tomorrow night: maybe we start sort of… inching towards second base?
SATOSHI
Clothes stay on, hands start wandering?
FIONA
Yes
Thank you for bearing with me x
I’ve been sitting with Charlotte btw, and she’s doing great
You’re going to have another somm before you know it
DAD
What is this I hear about your mother paying for you to do professional training?
If you want to go back to university, all you have to do is ask.
I can get you a fee waiver at ESU. You can take all your classes online.
Or if you want to be in the classroom, I’m sure Jonah can do the same at Lyons.
FIONA
I’m not going back to uni, Dad
That ship has sailed
This is just some vocational training for my writing
DAD
While I’m glad to see you’re not planning to just live off that chump’s money – you can do better than that, Fiona.
FIONA
Exam day
Fiona sent a photo.
[Photo: A selfie of Fiona in front of a Court of Master Sommeliers banner in a hotel conference room]
It’s been a long couple of days – can’t wait to see you tonight xx
SATOSHI
Me neither x
I’d wish you luck, but you won’t need it
FIONA
Just wanted to say thank you for not letting me get carried away last night x
I really could have
SATOSHI
The last thing I want is for you to regret anything x
Besides, you looked so good with that brand new somm pin on your collar. How could I let you take your shirt off?
FIONA
Much as I want to, I don’t think I’m ready to take it off yet, but…
… perhaps next week we can commit to second base and think about going under it?
SATOSHI
I think we can manage that
FIONA
xxx
Do you have a busy weekend?
Now I’ve crammed my head full of wine knowledge, I want to finish fleshing out the skeleton of the Bibliophile piece I’ve written and turn it into a proper draft
If I send it to you on Saturday or Sunday, will you have time to read it?
SATOSHI
I’ll make time
FISHER SIBS
ELIAS
Fishers, a hypothetical: if I came to Tasmania for Christmas, would either of you be able to put me up?
I could pay in avuncular childcare, good company, and help with cooking Christmas dinner
FIONA
Of course!
The kids would love to have you here
Mum and Dad aren’t coming for Christmas – they’re doing Jonah’s wedding in Feb instead – so my spare room is all yours
JONAH
You’re also welcome to stay with me and Sadie, but there’s more room (and more niblings) at Fi’s
You’re not welcome, however, to help with Christmas dinner. Back off.
FIONA
Am I allowed to help, given I assume I’ll be hosting?
JONAH
No.
I have plans. It will be a masterpiece.
You can be Satoshi for a day and be in charge of the wine
ELIAS
Who’s Satoshi?
JONAH
The sommelier at our favourite bar
Who is *absurdly* generous. Even if I fuck up the dinner, we’ll drink well.
(I won’t fuck up the dinner.)
FIONA
Chess is coming for Christmas, right?
Won’t she be staying with you?
JONAH
Yes, she’s coming, but she always insists on staying in a hotel
Sadie thinks she’s scared she’ll overhear us having sex
ELIAS
… so I’m *definitely* not staying with you, then. TMI, little brother
I’ll kick in some $$$ for groceries etc, Fi – I know money’s an issue, so don’t worry about me freeloading off you
MATT
Did you talk to the kids’ therapist yet about the best plan for visitation?
FIONA
Yes
MATT
What did she say?
Happy to jump on the phone if you want to talk through the specifics
I’d like to set up a video call with them on Thursday
FIONA
This coming Thursday??
MATT
Yes
Is that a problem?
FIONA
Yes
1) I’m busy on Thursday.
2) It’s going to take much more time to get them ready to have you back in their lives than that.
MATT
Is that what their therapist said?
Or are you just being petty?
FIONA
I’m going to give you the opportunity to take that back
MATT
They’re my kids too, Fiona
I fully admit I’ve made mistakes, but that doesn’t give you the right to keep them from me
From: [email protected]
Subject: Visitation
Hi Kavita (and Chess),
A quick question for you, when you have a moment. Matt can’t demand visitation with the kids before the divorce is finalised, can he?
Thanks,
Fiona
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Visitation
Dear Fiona,
No, you are not legally obliged to let him see the children until the divorce is final and the agreement we made in mediation comes into effect. You could, however, let him see them as a gesture of good faith, if that is something you wish to do.
Kind regards,
Kavita
CHESS
Didn’t want to send this from my work email as this is DEFINITELY not legal advice, but: don’t give Matt anything unless he gives you something
He wants to see the kids before you technically have to let him? He has to start paying you child support before he technically has to
You have leverage. That’s the language business bros speak. Don’t be afraid to use it.
FIONA
Thanks Chess
It feels wrong to use the kids as leverage, though
Even if the $$$ would be helpful
CHESS
If you ever need money, you know you can come to me, right? No questions asked
Sadie and I were broke as shit growing up. I know what it’s like
Corporate law may be soulless, but I make a lot of money, and it does no one any good sitting in my bank account
FIONA
That’s so kind of you, but no
I already owe you so much for all your help – I don’t want to owe you money too
FIONA
I’ve thought about it, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to see the kids before the divorce comes into effect
MATT
Seriously?!
Don’t punish them to punish me
FIONA
I’m not punishsing anyone. I told you: they need time to adjust to the idea of seeing you again.
MATT
Come on, Fi. What difference will a few weeks make?
FIONA
I’ll set up a call for both of us with their therapist, but you’re not having a call with the kids until a) we’re divorced, and b) I’ve had time to make sure they’re ready
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: wine piece
Attached: Bibliophile piece_final.docx
Okay, so I know I said I’d get this to you to look at over the weekend and it’s Wednesday (long story short: Matt’s the worst), but here’s the draft of my piece on Bibliophile.
The competition due date is tomorrow, so if you don’t have to time to look at it before then, that’s totally fine.
If you do get a few moments, though – does this read too much like a profile instead of a piece of wine writing? I’m worried it’s too much about you and Isamu and not enough about the actual wine.
F xo
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: wine piece
Attached: Bibliophile piece_final_TS notes.docx
Fiona, this is beautiful.
I’ve made a few notes about some technical wine stuff, but other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Granted, I’m biased – you might recall that I’m quite fond of you – but in my humble opinion, you have a great shot at winning.
Yes, there’s quite a lot of the Tsukamoto story, and not as many wine specs as others might include, but wine should be a story.
People will understand so much more about Bibliophile’s wines and Isamu’s winemaking philosophy from your article than they will from ‘the entry-level chardonnay is 50% large format oak, 50% stainless steel on lees, full malolactic fermentation’ (which is what I would probably write).
TL;DR – this is a stunning piece of writing. I’m so honoured that your debut article is about us, and I’m sure Isamu will be too. He might even smile!
Sato xx
P.S. Can’t wait to see you tonight and tell you more about how wonderful I thought this was x
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: wine piece
Satoshi! Thank you so much – both for taking the time to look at it, and saying such nice things about it.
F xo
P.S. Can’t wait to see you tonight and tell you more about how wonderful I think you are. Turns out I’m quite fond of you too.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Entry – New Viniferous Voices
Attached: Bibliophile piece_final_FINAL.docx
To whom it may concern,
Please find attached my entry for the New Viniferous Voices competition. It is a profile of Bibliophile Wines in the Coal River Valley, focusing on seven of their wines via the story of winemaker Isamu Tsukamoto and his sommelier brother Satoshi.
Many thanks,
Fiona
FIONA
I know I say this every week, but – thank you for last night x
It was very subtle of you, deciding you *had* to practise tasting sparkling wine on the day I submitted my article
SATOSHI
It *was* subtle. I was actually celebrating getting to touch your tits
FIONA
Sorry I’m not game enough to actually take my shirt *off* yet
Having kids did a number on my body
They probably feel much better than they look
SATOSHI
Did you enjoy it, though?
I loved it (I can assure you they feel spectacular) but I know they’re not your most erogenous zone
If under-the-shirt isn’t for you, we don’t have to do it again
FIONA
I’ve never really enjoyed it in the past, but if I’m being honest – it was a bit embarrassing, how much I liked it
I’m going to be dreaming of next Thursday all week
And if we’re following high school rules… maybe it’s time for third base?
SATOSHI
Below the waist?
FIONA
Yes
SATOSHI
Over or under clothes?
FIONA
Can I think about it?
SATOSHI
Of course you can
FIONA
I don’t think I’ll be able to stop
From: [email protected]
Subject: Your Order #4564649823
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SMQ LAWYERS
Hi FIONA FISHER, reply Y to confirm your divorce hearing appt with KAVITA PRASAD: 2.30 PM Mon 26 Nov or call to cancel. Cancellations will incur fees.
FIONA
Y
JONAH
Fi, are you sure you don’t want me to come with you to the hearing?
FIONA
Yes