Long Time Coming

Nathan Turner again tried to tie his gray tie. His reflection showed growing frustration on his face.

“I’ve done this a hundred times,” Nathan said to himself. “Why is it so difficult now?”

Nathan knew the answer; he was nervous.

Examining himself in the mirror, he said, “I’m good without it.”

A light gray jacket and matching slacks went along with a blue dress shirt and black boots. Nathan selected this outfit expressly because it set off his dark brown skin.

“I better get going.”

Nathan grabbed his phone, keys, and wallet from his dresser, then walked out of his bedroom. He picked up a brown wool coat from the back of the couch and slipped it on. Just before walking out the door, Nathan pressed a button on his key fob, and his car’s engine came to life. Glancing at his watch, Nathan saw that he had plenty of time. The cold November air hit him as he stepped outside.

“I moved back to Georgia to get away from this,” he said as he locked the door.

As Nathan got into his car and closed the door, he put his hands on the steering wheel and took a deep breath. His nerves had settled a little, but he was far from relaxed.

I can walk into condemned buildings with rotting floors, sagging walls, and roofs and not blink, but I am as tight as a drum about meeting someone for dinner?

The thought made him smile, and he felt a little tension drain away.

But it’s not just anyone, and I should have done this a long time ago.

Jackie Reynolds leaned close to the mirror and checked her makeup one last time. She then stepped back and looked at her whole body. She wore one of her favorite outfits; a white blouse accompanied by a sky blue skirt suit and matching high heels. Her black hair hung loosely around her shoulders. Satisfied with what she saw, Jackie picked up her purse and hurried out of her bedroom. Jackie lifted a black leather coat from a hook and slipped it on. Jackie dug in her purse and pulled out her keys as she walked out the door. She locked her front door and then made her way to her SUV. Once inside, Jackie started the vehicle and checked her mirrors before pulling out of her driveway. Her green eyes looked back at her, and she saw the worry in them.

How long has it been? Ten years, twelve, she thought.

Jackie felt doubt creeping into her mind, and she looked away.

“I’m already dressed and in my car,” she said aloud. “I am not backing out now.”

Jackie put the vehicle in gear and pulled out of the driveway.

Nathan followed the host through the dining room. They stopped at a table facing the body of water that gave the Blue Lake Grille its name.

Nathan sat, removed his jacket, and hung it on the back of his chair. Just then, a server approached the table.

Nathan ordered two glasses of water and a bottle of wine. As the server walked away, Nathan looked at his watch. He had arrived early as he always did; it was a behavior ingrained into him during his years in the navy. Nathan smiled. This habit allowed more time for his nerves to build up.

“I must be a glutton for punishment,” he said softly.

Nathan pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a short text; ‘I just got here. I will see you when you arrive’.

He then placed the phone on the table.

Nothing more to do but wait, he thought.

Jackie saw a text alert flash across the dashboard display. After a moment, an automated voice read it aloud.

Jackie smiled as she stopped at the last traffic light before she would come to the restaurant.

Jackie pressed the reply button and said, “I will be there in about three minutes.”

As she sent the text, the light turned green. Jackie drove through the intersection found that her anxiety had largely disappeared. She found a spot close to the door. Taking this as a good sign, Jackie got out of her vehicle and walked inside.

Nathan saw Jackie as soon as she came in.

“Wow,” he said softly.

As he stood, he took in the sight of her. She was still striking.

Jackie kept her eyes on Nathan as she approached.

Why did I wait so long? I’m lucky no one snapped him up while I was sitting on my hands.

Nathan was not sure whether he should offer Jackie his hand or hug her.

It’s been years, he thought. I don’t know if a hug would be appropriate, even though it’s very tempting.

He decided on the safest option and stuck out his hand.

“It’s great to see you again,” he said.

Jackie focused on Nathan’s face.

He is still as handsome as I remember.

Jackie took his hand and said, “Same here. You haven’t changed at all.”

Nathan laughed and took Jackie’s coat, then pulled the chair out for her.

He then said, “I don’t know about that.”

Jackie sat down, and she and Nathan looked at each other. They said nothing for a few moments, then Nathan spoke.

“I ordered wine just before you arrived.”

He motioned to their server, and the man disappeared into a side room.

Jackie looked around the restaurant and then through the window at the lake.

“I love coming here,” she said.

Nathan opened his mouth to reply, but the server returned to the table just then.

He showed them the bottle before opening it. Jackie’s eyes lit up as she recognized the name on the label.

“You remembered,” she said in amazement.

Nathan smiled. “How could I forget?”

They had discovered this merlot with a group of friends at a conference more than ten years ago. Both Jackie and Nathan had loved it.

Jackie watched Nathan while the server poured.

After he filled both glasses, the server left them alone.

Jackie lifted her glass and smiled as she said, “A toast to friends reuniting after far too long.”

Nathan returned the smile and touched his glass to hers.

Jackie sipped her wine and closed her eyes in pleasure. She held it in her mouth as she remembered the last time she and Nathan shared this vintage.

It tastes even better somehow, she thought.

Blackberries and plums danced on her tongue, and when she swallowed, she could taste cloves and vanilla.

Jackie opened her eyes and saw Nathan savoring the wine’s flavor as well.

Nathan noticed her looking at him and said, “It’s no wonder that Elk Grove merlot is my, our favorite.”

Jackie laughed.

“I’m glad I could teach you some culture. You sailors are pretty rough around the edges.”

Nathan laughed, and as he recovered, he saw that the server had returned.

They ordered a light meal and another bottle of merlot.

After the server left, Nathan and Jackie caught up on one another’s lives.

Both had been married and divorced, and each had one child from those unions.

Nathan owned an environmental consulting firm, and Jackie was a partner in an interior design company.

They spoke without pause through their meal, and before they knew it, the second bottle was nearly empty.

Nathan poured the remaining wine into Jackie’s glass and placed the bottle on the table.

Jackie stretched in her chair, then suddenly had to catch herself. The wine had hit her harder than she realized.

Maybe I should have eaten more than appetizers, she thought.

Nathan seemed no worse for wear even though he had drunk just as much wine as she had.

Nathan felt the wine’s effects, but they were muted since he had drunk a glass of water with each glass of wine.

“Are you ok to drive,” he asked.

Jackie thought about the question then replied, “I should be as long as we don’t have another bottle.”

Nathan shook his head.

“We won’t be revisiting Elk Grove tonight.

Jackie sighed with a mix of relief and regret.

Nathan raised an eyebrow.

“Was that a happy or sad sigh?”

Jackie smiled.

“Both. Please excuse me. I am heading to the ladies’ room.”

“Of course,” Nathan said, half rising from his chair.

He watched her walk toward the restrooms and knew that he made the right choice about tonight.

I almost said no when she asked for this date, he thought. That would have been a big mistake.

Jackie checked her makeup in the mirror. She saw that her face was a little flushed from the wine, and she smiled at the effect.

Satisfied, Jackie walked back to the table.

Nathan was signing the receipt as Jackie returned.

“That water is for you,” he said as she sat down.

Jackie nodded her thanks and drank half of it in a few gulps.

Nathan looked at her for a few seconds, then said, “Tonight has been great.”

“Yes, it has,” Jackie replied. “We will have to do this again very soon.”

“We will, especially now that we are both living in town.”

Nathan made a decision and reached across the table.

Jackie looked at his hand and, after a moment, took it in her own.

Nathan gripped her hand lightly, saying, “I don’t want another decade going by before we see each other again.”

Jackie, emboldened by the wine, asked, “So how do we do that?”

Nathan smiled.

“We can talk about it over another bottle of Elk Grove.”

Jackie raised an eyebrow.

“Didn’t you just pay the check?”

“Who said anything about drinking it here?”

Jackie blinked, then smiled.

“Well then, we should probably get going.”

Nathan stood, bringing Jackie to her feet as well.

He helped her into her jacket, then put on his own.

Nathan offered Jackie his arm, and she took it.

Nathan led them through the restaurant and then outside.

They walked to Nathan’s car, which was already running.

Nathan opened the passenger door, and Jackie slid inside.

Nathan hurried to the driver’s side and got behind the wheel. Just before he shifted the car into gear, Jackie took his hand.

She then said, “I missed you so much. But I didn’t have the guts to call you.”

Nathan looked away for a moment, then focused on her face.

“I didn’t call you either. I guess you could say that we are both gutless.”

Jackie sat back in her seat.

“I understand that we were both in relationships, but we were always friends. Friends talk to each other, or so I have been told.”

Nathan laughed.

“Friends do talk to each other. But at some point, I think we became more than just friends.”

Jackie felt her face redden and looked away from him.

Nathan saw Jackie quickly wipe her face.

“Are you ok,” he asked.

Jackie nodded and then faced him again.

Even in the dim light, Nathan could see tears in her eyes.

“Jackie,” he said, concern in his voice, “what is it? Did I say something wrong?”

Jackie gave a half-hearted laugh.

“No. I was afraid that I was the only one that had moved beyond friendly feelings.”

Nathan’s shock was evident, and Jackie laughed again, this time, a happier sound.

“You thought the same thing.”

It was not a question but a statement that Nathan could not deny.

He nodded and said, “I did. And I cannot think of a time when I was happier to be wrong.”

Jackie smiled as Nathan put the car in gear and drove out of the parking lot.