WHERE: La Macina WITH: @bariskaplans

Whenever there was a break in the madness at La Macina, the owners often liked for their chefs to mingle in the main dining area for a moment or two in order to show their faces and take credit where it was apparently due. But Antonio wasn’t much for that idea and hadn’t ever been– quite frankly, he’d rather just clock in, do his work behind the scenes, and leave without a word at the end of the night. Besides, this job was hardly more than a cover for him now that his work within the cartel more than sustained him and paid his child support. But here he was, drying his hands after washing them and stepping out onto the main restaurant floor, his lips molding into a rather tense smile as he moved from table to table, awkwardly accepting praise from each patron.

He turned then, starting for the next table when he stopped short, dark eyes instantly recognizing the man who was sat there. Baris Kaplan. Their history went further back than Tonopah Valley and was pockmarked by memories of war, death, and destruction, but they’d always gotten along. War had a way of forging friendships, whether or not they were wanted. But they were always needed. It had been a while since Antonio had seen Baris, though, but the man didn’t pretend not to know why. Antonio’s arrival in Tonopah four years ago had been nothing short of chaotic and it had stayed that way– at least right up until last year when he’d finally put down the drugs and the drink and cleaned himself up. 

Estranged from so many people now, Baris included, Antonio was trying to bridge the gaps he’d created between him and nearly everyone he knew. And so rather than turning back towards the kitchen, he approached the table. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” He started, his strained smile thawing into a warmer, less forced one. “Long time, no see,” Tony pointed out, though he figured that much was obvious, but he’d never been the greatest at small talk. The fact that he’d been blitzed out of his mind the last time he’d seen Baris and now felt a little embarrassed in front of him didn’t help. “Enjoying your meal?”

WHERE: Bountiful Harvest Vineyard & Winery WITH: @bariskaplans

Chaos. 

It raged all around him and yet somehow, Cole felt at home inside of it. Perhaps it was because it was all he’d ever really known, or maybe it was how he’d always moved through life like the wildfire swirling all around him. Whatever it was, it urged him deeper into the madness rather than away from it. Coughing into the crook of his arm, Cole ventured further into the thick cloud of smoke dousing the winery and everyone close to it in a harsh, impenetrable haze. Help was on the way, he knew that, but until they arrived, the thought of getting out and sparing himself while others were caught between fire and flame was unfathomable– and so here he was, blindly fumbling his way through the smoke and orange smog, eyes stinging as they searched for others lost in the blaze. 

Tears blurred his vision as his eyes cut down to a dilapidated structure at his feet– perhaps the remnants of a vendor’s stall? Who knew? But it wasn’t the charred wood or ripped sign that caught his attention. It was the pair of people trapped beneath the wreckage. So blinded by the smoke, the toe of his boot had nearly landed on one of them. Dropping to his knees, Cole shoved chunks of scorched, steaming wood away from them, ignoring the way the heat seeped into the palms of his hands, blistering the skin. But it wasn’t enough– the planks they were trapped beneath were far too heavy for one man. “Hey, hey,” he murmured, squinted eyes zeroing in on the mother-son pair, “I’ve got ya– I promise.”

But he couldn’t do it alone. Cursing under his breath, he darted a quick glance around. Though it was damn near impossible to see through the smoke, he could scarcely make out the form of another man nearby. "Hey," he shouted, leaping to his feet and waving his arms, "Hey– gimme a hand." He didn’t know who the fuck the other man was, and in the moment, Cole really didn’t care. His only focus was getting these people out before the flames swallowed all of them whole. Once he caught his attention, Cole gestured down at the mother and son, "Gotta get 'em out. Fuckin’ plank’s too heavy.”