The Divorce He Asked For, The Empire I Took Away novel · Chapter 27 of 32
Chapter 27: On the Record
The grange hall in Healdsburg smelled like tri-tip and floor wax.
Long folding tables with paper tablecloths, a coffee urn by the door, a raffle for a chainsaw.
Every grower in Dry Creek was there, and half of Alexander Valley.
I'd come to this dinner every November since I was nine, on Grandpa's arm.
This was the first year I sat at the growers' table instead of the wives' end.
Winona sat on my left with her cane hooked on the table.
Goldie sat on my right with a plate of nothing but rolls.
Augie sat across from me, too big for his folding chair, cutting Goldie's meat without being asked.
"I can cut my own meat," Goldie said.
"I know you can. I'm doing it anyway."
"Liesl, tell him."
"He's doing it anyway," I said.
The five men from the Arnott cave sat together at the end of our table in clean flannel shirts.
The cellar master sat with them.
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–16 of The Divorce He Asked For, The Empire I Took Away are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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