Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
A text arrived from Elton later that same morning. How did this get in my bag? A picture appeared, the Ruby’s Other Farm magnet that Archer had yanked off his fridge and slipped in Elton’s bag last night while he’d been sawing logs.
An hour later, another text arrived. What’s your favorite movie? A picture followed, the magnet next to an airplane seat-back monitor playing that Bob Dylan biopic from last year.
Steel Magnolias. Yours?
Jurassic Park.
Monster movie fan?
Yes, Elton replied. Also sentimental fave. Went with my parents. Mom and I spent the next month freaking Dad out with shaking water glasses. Until an earthquake freaked us all out. Who was your favorite in SM?
Elton was chatty and trapped on a plane—heading to DC, he’d told him before leaving.
Anticipating this convo may go on longer given the flight time, Archer slipped out from between the rows and made his way to the ATV.
He grabbed his sandwich and a bottle of water out of the cooler, then stretched on the back bench seat. Dolly, he typed back. Always Dolly.
Why that movie?
Small town. Found family. Not California. Laugh and cry.
What movie makes you wish you could have those hours of your life back?
Pick any superhero movie.
A selfie appeared, Elton with a hand over his heart, expression deeply wounded.
Archer sent back the shrug emoji, then, seeing reply bubbles appear, ate more of his sandwich while waiting for Elton’s next text.
Let’s see if your taste in music is better. Favorites?
Rodrigo y Gabriela, Santana, Red Hot Chili Peppers.
SO LA.
Let me guess yours . . . Archer sent the thinking emoji, then, without any thinking at all, typed Grateful Dead and Green Day. Ellipses for an answer, and Archer laughed out loud. SO BAY AREA.
Elton sent the shrug emoji back to him. My first love is jazz, but you’re not wrong on the other, especially the Dead. Then he asked, Which do you like better? SoCal or NorCal?
Do I really need to answer that?
Yes.
Archer scrolled through to the pictures of him and Ezra from the last time the Dodgers had been in town to play the Giants, when Archer had gone to the game in Dodger Blue head to toe. He attached one of the pics, then moved to hit Send.
And paused.
He considered again what he’d told Ezra, Al, and Elton about where he was in his life now, physically and mentally.
He left the picture attached but sent it with more explanation than he’d originally intended.
I’ll always bleed Dodger Blue but my heart, my home, my family are here now. Where we’re safe.
Elton loved his answer, the pink heart appearing. Then sent a question—Any family left in SoCal?—that made Archer toss the last of his sandwich to the ravens, melancholy an unwelcome intrusion.
Lost them in 2020, he said. They were older, already in poor health, and so in love until the day they died, a couple hours apart.
I’m sorry, Archer.
Even over text, Elton’s sincerity rang true. Thank you. He appreciated it, truly, but what he’d appreciate more was a return to lighter conversation. Why the 20Qs?
Thankfully, the trained investigator followed his lead, reading the dodge for what it was and letting him have it. I want to know more about you, and I have three hours left of this flight before work takes over my life again. What are you doing in the vineyard today?
Archer smiled, looking forward to the next few hours of work with a side of Elton.