Our Best Summer Date

Hello. My name is Lyle. Lyle Kintaro Malone-Richardson. I am 22 years old. I lived in Los Angele, CA. My life was hard after my father passed away a few years ago. I am a college student in music and arts. I also like science, technology, poetries, and drama. I am also a half time employed as a painter for the recording studio. My coworkers are very nice. Unfortunately, my boss was not a friendly person. It is a long story. Until one day, I met this mysterious lady who came by and smiled. It reminds me of that movie-what was it? ‘Xanadu’, I think. Yeah, this is when Olivia Newton John kissed Michael Beck and then she disappeared. Her name is Mio. She looked like a cherry blossom nymph. I realized her name means “a beautiful cherry blossom” in Japanese.

Now, it is two years later. Today is June 25th-the day that we had just met. This is a story that I wanted to share about my sweet summer date night with my darling, Mio. One of the reasons why is because my mother is making her traditional classic chocolate cake. When I was a little boy, I was in love with deep creamy, smooth, milk chocolates. My mother's cake of course. She has been a baker at her part-time job since I was born. I would like Mio to try my mother’s chocolate cake for our special date. I was planning to have our romantic date with her. But, it is going to be a surprise.

It is 6:30 in the morning, and I was feeling groggy. I saw Mio had woken up, yawned-gracefully and stretched her arms like when Sleeping Beauty had awoken from her evil spell. “Good morning, Lyle.” I stretched and smiled. “Good morning.’ Mio was headed to the shower and I went down to eat my breakfast-two slices of toast and a honey crisp apple. Mio was finally dressed. She has to get ready for her meeting as the teacher assistant. Just then, Mio’s elder sister, Harumi arrived. Harumi was waiting for Mio for the meeting at the university. Actually that is where my school is. Harumi is a literature teacher. She was about to get our homemade iced hazelnut latte to-go, an apple and a pineapple for her quick breakfast-Until, she saw the chocolate cake. I can tell she was hesitant. HONK! Mio jumped and gasped. “Oh no! I am late!” She took the fruits instead. She kissed me on the cheek. ‘See ya later, honey.’ She headed on to the car. She waved at me and smiled just like in the old days. I wonder if she ever tried the chocolate cake before? Maybe she was on a diet? Has she never tried it? I do not know. I will have to find out.

Hours later, I was walking through downtown Los Angeles. I have to think about our special date. As I walked by the bakery, I lustfully stared at the baking goods from the window. There were lots of them. Box of chocolates, cupcakes, pies, cookies, and cakes. I was nervous about what Mio likes. My heart was beating. My eyes are wide. My stomach growled repeatedly. I giggled. Of course, I am a growing boy. I realized that the breakfast I ate (toast and an apple) did not last longer. I also cannot spoil my appetite. Then, I saw my mother making this delicious chocolate cake. It has glossy and creamy milk chocolate icing. The cake has a Delightful fluffy texture. “Oh! Lyle!” my mother called. “I have just finished the cake for your date.” I walked in the store. Suddenly, I stopped. “Wow! Mom, this is great! Thank you!” I was thrilled with joy. “Mio is gonna love it.’ ‘I am sure she is’. My mother smiled. “Oh, Lyle, have you set up your reservation with Mio yet?” I was confused. Then, I realized I forgot to set up our reservation. It is one of my favorite restaurants, where the bakery was on the other side of the town. I called up right away to set up our reservation at 5pm tonight. I was worried. Minutes later, the hostess booked it. “Ok, sir. We got your reservation.’ I was relieved. I looked at the clock- it was already 2 o’clock. I have to get going. Then, I began to get very hungry. My empty stomach could not take it the long day. So, I have to stop by the coffee shop. I ordered the ham and cheese croissant and an iced latte.

After the coffee shop, Mio called me. She said that she will be home about 3 o’clock. I head on and grab the cake. I drove home. I only got two and a half hours. I took a very quick shower. I wore a nice dark plum buttoned shirt with dark jeans. I am so glad that I still got those decent leather shoes that my best friend’s brother gave to me. Then, Mio was finally home. “Honey, are you home?” I quickly got dressed and came down. “Honey! Right on time.” I took her upstairs and I set up her dress on the bed, waiting for her to get ready for our night. It was eggplant(less dark than plum? maybe?) mid length flowy dress, a velvet shawl, and small black heels. Twenty minutes later, she finally dressed. “What do you think?” “You look beautiful. Are you ready?” We both smiled at each other.

We arrived at the restaurant at 5 o’clock sharp. I escorted her in. I closed her eyes and took her to our table. ‘Surprise!” Our table was outside on the balcony, With dark red tablecloth and a bright candle. We can also see the stars. “Lyle, it is lovely. Thank you.” We looked at each other how wonderful we looked. Then, Mio’s stomach rumbled. She felt embarrassed, “Sorry”. “Honey, it happens.” The waiter finally arrived. We were famished. We ordered the lobster bruschetta for appetizers & two grilled portobello mushroom salads with shrimps as our entrees. By the time we settled our stomachs after our laughs, I brought the chocolate cake on the table. “Wow! It looks amazing!’ ``My mother made it just for the two of us”. I sliced a piece to her first. She grabbed a fork and scooped a piece. She stared at it again. Mio looked nervous. Why was she nervous? Is it poison? Maybe she had never tried the chocolate cake before. Now, I am nervous. My heart was pounding really hard. I watched her take a bite slowly. She chewed and gulped. Suddenly, her eyes wide opened with sparkles and smiled. “Mmmmmm.” I just heard her sweet yummy sound. “Oh my gosh. It is delicious!” She loved it. I was so glad. There was a bit of a chocolate icing on the top of her lip. I came over to her. Mio looked at me. ”I love you”. I kissed her gently. “I love you, too.” She smiled beautifully. Thanks to my mother’s chocolate cake. It was the best date night that we ever had.