DayDream Date

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“Dahling, it’s our private reserve,” the waiter said. You’ll love it.”

She was looking over the wine selection and had chosen a merlot for it’s full bodied taste, like herself she chuckled. Alejandro had messaged her. He was running late. Her eyes disappeared into the pool of the dark spicy liquid. The taste made her think of plums, dark chocolate, and prunes maybe, as her nose wrinkled. She imagined herself swimming around in it barely clothed with her new beau.

Jennifer hadn’t been out on a date in years. First it was work, and then it was the pandemic. The time escaped her like a surfer riding the perfect wave. She enjoyed fantasizing about Alejandro. They had only communicated by email and text so she hadn’t seen him or heard the sound of his voice yet, but with a name like Alejandro, he must be handsome and how else could he sound but debonair. She was enjoying the anticipation. They had been set up by a mutual friend from college, a trusted friend.

Sitting at a booth waiting for her blind date, she had chosen a simple black sheath dress, paired with gold dangly earrings, and a gold statement ring. It’s flattering for every age, and just trendy enough. Located in the wine bar she was always eyeing as she drove past after work every day, Chez Vivianne, the building cocooned her as she waited nervously. She enjoyed the hypnotic music as she waited in the brick building with outdoor patio and gardens on a quiet street in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown, a camera shutter and you would pass it unnoticed. Alejandro was the owner.

Chocolate wrappers everywhere, from the deepest and the darkest kinds of chocolate from all over the world, the spices flying, cumin coriander, cinnamon.

“Oh you sexy magnificent beast. Where do I start and where do you begin?” He licked. She moaned. “Why does this have to end?”

“It doesn’t,“ he replied. Keep stirring she panted. It was the most delicious maple pie filling she had ever seen in her life. Jennifer dripped some of the liquid on her bare chest. He took his finger and ever so slowly wiped the liquid off of her warm breast. He looked her directly in the eye and placed his finger in his mouth. Mmm, he moaned. He loved the taste.

She realized she was daydreaming again when she heard the molasses flavored baritone ask, “Are you Ginger?” She sipped her glass of merlot as she smiled and answered, “Yes, yes I am.”

The wine had gotten to her. She looked this stranger up and down and realized what she said, but there’s was no turning back. He was on a blind date and so was she. What did it matter with whom?

How nice she thought. He still has his hair, except for the slight thinning in the yarmulke spot. She thought it sexy. He sat down and gave the, “I’m so nervous, I’ve never done this before speech.” She nodded her head in agreement, thinking to herself dating can be difficult in middle age. It was difficult in high school and years and pounds didn’t make it any easier.

“I’m Alejandro,” he said.

“Hi, nice to meet you. What a great location.” She replied. She was a bit confused, but didn’t let on. He called her Ginger, but he was Alejandro. She shook it off, maybe he was just nervous.

“It was an easy choice. I walk near it all the time and I’ve always wanted to try it.” He blushed. “I just didn’t want to do it alone.”

Coincidence? He was an Alejandro, but not her Alejandro, not the owner of the wine bar Alejandro. She took it as a sign that they were supposed to meet and relaxed. The merlot was helpful in that endeavor. She smiled to herself.

The conversation was easy. They talked of work, their hobbies, and trips they wanted to take. She loved to experiment with soul food from the South as well as Mediterranean and Ethiopian cooking. She talked of her love of gardening. He was intrigued. He cooked as well, his forté was Italian and Cuban food. He smiled and she was smitten. He seemed to be as well. Between the two of them they counted three sets of cookware they had ruined with their cooking experiments. They both laughed and looked into each other’s eyes, thinking of all the meals they’d cook together, the wine pairings they’d create. Neither wanted to go. He picked up the check. She picked up her purse. They agreed to meet again.

Just as they were leaving a guy was looking at Jennifer as if she looked familiar. She winked and rushed her new Alejandro out the door…just in case.