I called Samantha that following Wednesday. I felt like I had somehow; no, definitely, degraded and made a mockery our our relationship, but I couldn't tell her what had transpired. It would have to wait.

It was now November, and I was beginning to see December approaching fast. I had given my two-weeks notice at the wine bar, citing that I needed to move on. There was more for me to do in Vermont, and I had to do what I felt deep in my heart. Chloe would be sad to see me go. She even slated a party and closed the bar except for close friends and family of the entire crew. It would be held on a Thursday.

I knew that I needed to find a new place that would allow me to continue both my wine and craft beer education, and I also felt the need to get some additional classroom instruction by monitoring classes. I had enjoyed that in Burlington, and desired to get back to focused instruction. So as part of my search, I phoned some local colleges and spoke to the biology and chemistry professors. Food science was more aligned with biology, so I felt the need to get more acquainted with chemistry.

Just south of Montpelier, there was a program at Vermont Tech. At the Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems, I would be able to further my education. Samantha continued to support me, but how would she take it when I "spilled the beans"

I had to tell her; somehow, someway!