Just One Glass

I broke up with my ex in September of last year. Since then, I have kept myself busy with listening to podcasts and audio books on my phone, as well as engaging in community activism. My good friend Ricky Torres is a political candidate based here in Stock Hyde, Florida. Over the past few months, I have been helping Ricky plan his events and started a marketing plan for his campaign.

Just last month, Ricky had an event with the Governor as his special guest speaker. I had paid for a ticket so I could come to support Ricky and catch up with friends and their lives. However, what Ricky did not mention to tell me, was that Darius, one of his good friends would be there. It was not until a text popped up on my phone from Darius that said, “you going to be at Ricky’s event?” Which I replied, “of course”.

Darius was from South Valdosta and had worked in Digital Marketing, luckily for him, they had him traveling everywhere. So, when he got the chance to be off work, he would spontaneously fly down to Florida from wherever he was whenever Ricky had an event. This was our second encounter and all the uneasy hurt I had felt over the past two weeks washed away. Oh, I am forgetting to mention he did not text me back for two weeks, and I was left sulking on my couch for a week while waiting for him to call like a 1950s schoolgirl. I felt incredibly embarrassed, as that had not been the type of behavior I exuded.

Ever since the last time we saw each other, Darius and I have been on and off talking to one another on the phone. Whether it is text, call, or facetime, we were in communication at least two or three times a week. After all, both of us have busy schedules. Then, what I thought to be the impossible, he asked me out on a date the next time he comes back to Florida.

Butterflies flying around in my stomach, I accepted and arranged where we should go. After all, he was not a Florida native, so I would be introducing him to one of my favorite restaurants in the state. Since then, I could not wait for him to come. After all, he was coming to see me, Alexia Greene!

The days grew closer and closer to his arrival, and I would get more nervous, but in a good way. He seemed extremely excited to come and see me, especially when we would facetime or talk on the phone after his workout. Leading me to present day, being his arrival in Florida. I was still nervous, but Ricky offered to allow him to stay at his place for the weekend, so Ricky would be the one to pick up Darius from the airport.

As the day went on, I had done some errands and was getting ready for my date. My hairstylist Tammy was teasing my hair to make it look fuller and gave me some volume, Tammy also engaged in gossip and would remind me of how lucky the man was to be having dinner with me. This made me smile, as she was one of my biggest cheerleaders. She had always been supportive of what I had done, but always gave solid advice on what to do when I got stuck.

“So, where’s he taking you tonight, somewhere extra fancy I’m sure.” Tammy pried inquisitively with her jersey accent, while teasing my hair yet again.

I chuckled at her words, knowing that she was starting to get nosey. This was very classic Tammy behavior after all. So, I told her where he was going to be taking me. A gasp coming from her lips and she soon grabbed a piece of gum from her drawer and started chewing.

“Stock Hyde Inn, oh that’s so classy!” She exclaimed, while smoothing out my auburn locks, as she was working on the French twist she decided to do in my hair that complimented my big brown doe eyes.

Once she was done, I beamed brightly after seeing the finished look. She had truly out done herself with this hairstyle. As soon as I found twenty dollars in my wallet, I gave it to her as her tip and before I left, I paid for my service. I walked out the door and Tammy followed behind.

“Enjoy your date sweetheart! Tell me all about tomorrow!” She shouted out.

A few hours passed and I was zipping up my black A frame dress, only to hear the doorbell ringing and as soon as I finished zipping up my dress, I started to put my earrings in. Opening the door, I looked up at the 6’1” ebony man standing in a white tux with white colored pants, a button up blouse, and a blue tie. He was carrying a bouquet of white roses and he handed them to me so I could take them.

Both of us were at a loss of words, and we kept eye contact as we were face to face once more. There were a million things I wanted to say but could not open my mouth, Darius snapped out of his trance and smiled.

“You look amazing,” he says while he looks at me. My cheeks flush and I blink a couple of times to snap myself out of it.

“You do too, thank you for the flowers.” I manage to articulate.

My hand takes the flowers out of Darius’s hand and puts them in a vase. The flowers are extremely beautiful, and they certainly were not cheap at all. So, he must have spent some money on the bouquet. All I could think of was how thoughtful of him that was. Darius held his arm out for me, and I took it, it was time to go to the Inn and eat.

When we got to the restaurant, they sat us at a round circular table made for two. The room was furnished just like any fancy restaurant. Olive, light gold, and champagne-colored tablecloths, with dainty silver wear and plates, with napkins folded into fancy squares and menus already laid out on the table. Not to mention the traditionally laid out wine glasses, except these glasses said Stock Hyde Inn in cursive.

Darius pulls out my dark fancy wooden chair and I take his hand, sitting down at the chair. The handsome ebony man walking around to sit right across from me. As I looked around, I examined the brick walls and the brick fireplace that ran while people at their food. Sounds in the kitchen could be made, not to mention the jazz music they played, and we looked over to see servers come out with food.

“What are you thinking about getting?” Darius asked looking down at the menu, deciding what he wanted.

Darius was a man that loved his tequila and vodka, however, I knew he wasn’t shy to any wine either. It just was not his favorite. I opened my menu and started to look through the list of drinks and our waiter came over. He asked Darius what he wanted and Darius ordered a glass of Pinot Noir, and when it came to my turn I turned to the waiter.

“I’ll have a glass of merlot,” I say as Darius and I got cozy.

The waiter nodded and told us he would bring our drinks out as soon as possible. I thanked him and Darius chuckled. Needless to say, the night was perfect, and we couldn’t have asked for more from that glass of Merlot I had that night.