Elaine Dembowski
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Stories (5/0)
An Evening To Forget
One evening in the summer, the weather was nice and warm. The sky was clear without a cloud. It seemed like the perfect evening to go out. I was in such a good mood.. I was over my boyfriends house for the day and we decided to go for a walk. After walking for a short time, I asked my boyfriend if he wanted to go out to eat. He said sure. We decided to pick up his son first. We called ahead and told him to be ready. Then we stopped to pick him up. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, a short drive from the house. After we got seated, while we were looking over the menu, I ordered a margarita. My favorite, a frozen strawberry one. I kept my phone on although I try not to look at it when eating out but you never know..an emergency can happen . Shortly afterward, I got a text message from my friend with a picture of a margarita. This was something that we always do. Since we both like margaritas, if we go out, we send the other one a picture of our drink. I sent her one back as I had just gotten mine. I thought it was funny cause the background in the picture was similiar to mine. I looked around the restaurant and saw my friend eating with her husband. She saw me about the same time. She came over to our table to say hello. She told me that they was leaving shortly and gave me what was left on her gift card to put towards our meal. After I thanked her, I told her that I would see her in work the following day. She and her husband left the restaurant. We then ordered supper. We sat making small talk until the food came. The food was good, as usual. After supper, we left the restaurant and I walked ahead of my boyfriend and his son. Everything was going perfectly. Nice warm weather and a delicious meal. The sun was starting to go down, but it was not quite dark. The moon was full in the sky. I walked over to the car and opened the door. I was a little surprised because my boyfriend always locks his car when we leave it. But maybe I just didn't hear the opener beep. Just as I was ready to get inside, I noticed that my water bottle wasn't there. That was strange. I always bring a bottle of water wherever I go. I knew I didn't bring it into the restaurant. Then I noticed that the interior looked different. Seats were different, color different.. There was a sweatshirt lying on the seat… I backed up and heard my boyfriend and his son say, " what are you doing? That isn't our car. " I looked at the exterior and it wasn't the same model or brand. And now looking at it, it wasn't even the same color. My boyfriend owned a Toyota Rav 4 and this was a Cadillac Escalade. Then I noticed a group of people walking behind my boyfriend with puzzled looks on their faces. They whispered to one another and looked over at me. As we quickly walked away, they walked over to the Cadillac and got in. I was so embarrassed and really didnt know what to say. I hurried over to the Rav 4. My boyfriend opened the door and I got in. There was my water bottle. I explained that I had thought that we parked right in front. His son said "but thats a Cadillac. They don't even look the same," I didn't even realize it. I did learn to walk next to my boyfriend from then on. In fact, he holds my hand.
By Elaine Dembowski3 years ago in Confessions
Unlikely Match
Everything seemed quiet. Too quiet. I can see people around me, stopping to talk to me, but it all seemed surreal. I couldn't understand any of the conversations. As I sat there, my thoughts ran away with my memories. It was a sunny day in May, 1969. The sun shone so bright that it glinted off of the red sports car that stopped to pick me up. Jeff's green eyes shone as he stopped in front of my porch. "Are you ready, Nancy? " he called over to me. "I certainly am", I giggled. I walked over to the car as the driver leaned over and the door popped open. Jeff was as handsome as the first day I met him 3 years earlier, in freshman year. His green eyes complimented his dark curly hair and chiseled features. He had a nice smile.. genuine. I cant believe he asked me on a date. I always thought he was into all the cheerleaders and popular girls. Not me, the book worm. I smiled as I tried to hide my nervousness. Off we went.. the sun started to sink in the sky. We were going to the Italian Villa, a classy restaurant on the other side of town near the river. I have never been there but heard all the girls talk about it. We stopped in front as the valet came to the car. Jeff handed him the keys as he came around and opened my door. We went inside and Jeff told the hostess his name. She showed us to a table near the window. The white tablecloth and the lit candle made the silverware shine. It was just as I had dreamed. I looked out the window as the river flowed past carrying a family of ducks. I smiled as i watched them. Jeff saw me smile…"A penny for your thoughts", Jeff commented. "Im just watching the ducks and how they swim together, following one another. Like a real family. " Jeff smiled, too. The waiter, who introduced himself as Todd, asked if he could get us a drink. Jeff answered, " can you recommend a wine?" As Todd handed him a wine list. Todd replied, " I would recommend a nice Merlot. " Jeff told him that we would have a bottle. The wine tasted really nice. Smooth and fruity. We looked at the menu and ordered. We talked throughout dinner.. the wine helped me relax. After dinner, he drove me home and asked if he could see me again...I of course, said yes....that date turned into a second, third, fourth... engagement, wedding... Someone touched my arm. " Nancy, Father Rinaldi wants to begin the ceremony." I started to hear the drone of all the people around me... and saw the priest standing in front of a .....coffin. I looked down at my hands clutching a white hankie embroidered with blue flowers. Jeff gave me that hanky years ago on a beautiful spring day. My hands were wrinkly ... I looked at a card...Jeffrey Singer, born June 23, 1943. Died July, 17, 2019 was written on it. 50 years.... 50 years had passed since my first date with Jeff. We had a wonderful life together. 50 years.. the war when he went over seas right after high school… the separation when I wasnt sure if he would come back home, alive. 4 children, a house with a white picket fence, vacations, holidays, family... And love. .lots of love.... and now its over. But true love never dies...and to think it all started on a sunny day in May and a bottle of Merlot.
By Elaine Dembowski3 years ago in Families
Unlikely Match
EverythinEverything seemed quiet. I can see people around me, stopping to talk to me, but it all seemed surreal. I couldn't understand any of the conversations. As I sat there, my thoughts ran away with my memories. It was a sunny day in May, 1969. The sun shone so bright that it glinted off of the red sports car that stopped to pick me up. Jeff's green eyes shone as he stopped in front of my porch. "Are you ready, Nancy? " he called over to me. "I certainly am", I giggled. I walked over to the car as the driver leaned over and the door popped open. Jeff was as handsome as the first day I met him 3 years earlier in freshman year. His green eyes complimented his dark curly hair and chiseled features. He had a nice smile.. genuine. I cant believe he asked me on a date. I always thought he was into all the cheerleaders and popular girls. Not me, the book worm. I smiled as I tried to hide my nervousness. Off we went.. the sun started to sink in the sky. We were going to the Italian Villa, a classy restaurant on the other side of town near the river. I have never been there but heard all the girls talk about it. We stopped in front as the valet came to the car. Jeff handed him the keys as he came around and opened my door. We went inside and Jeff told the hostess his name. She showed us to a table near the window. The white tablecloth and the lit candle made the silverware shine. It was just as I had dreamed. I looked out the window as the river flowed past carrying a family of ducks. I smiled as i watched them. Jeff saw me smile…"A penny for your thoughts", Jeff commented. "Im just watching the ducks and how they swim together, following one another. A real family. " Jeff smiled, too. The waiter, who introduced himself as Todd, asked if he could get us a drink. Jeff answered, " can you recommend a wine?" As Todd handed him a wine list. Todd replied, " I would recommend a nice Merlot. " Jeff told him that we would have a bottle. The wine tasted really nice. Smooth and fruity. We looked at the menu and ordered. We talked throughout dinner.. the wine helped me relax. After dinner, he drove me home and asked if he could see me again...I of course, said yes....that date turned into a second, third, fourth... engagement, wedding... Someone touched my arm. " Nancy, Father Rinaldi wants to begin the ceremony." I started to hear the drone of all the people around me... and saw the priest standing in front of a .....coffin. I looked down at my hands clutching a white hankie embroidered with blue flowers. Jeff gave me that hanky years ago on a beautiful spring day. My hands were wrinkly ... I looked at a card...Jeffrey Singer, born June 23, 1943. Died July, 17, 2019 was written on it. 50 years.... 50 years had passed since my first date with Jeff. We had a wonderful life together. 50 years.. the war when he went over seas right after high school… the separation when i wasnt sure if he would come back home, alive. 4 children, a house with a white picket fence, vacations, holidays, family... And love. .lots of love.... and to think it all started on a sunny day in May and a bottle of Merlot.
By Elaine Dembowski3 years ago in Families