Merlot, Martin, and Me.

For whatever reason the universe pulled me in the direction of a little bar at the corner of a street I had to have passed a million times. There was the strong defeat of a terrible day in the air and for the sake of escaping a corporate cubical, I retreated to a place where I wouldn’t find myself buried in work.

I pulled into an empty parking lot, maybe all of two cars. I found myself overcome with the greatest sigh of relief because this didn’t seem like a place teeming with life. I’d finally found an exit from the crippling phone constantly ringing and all the emails I left unopened.

I grabbed my purse and pulled on a rusty handle just waiting to see what cheap beer I’d probably be subjected to.

It was there that I had found you standing behind the oak stained bar top, an old familiar face. Still as bright as the first time I had seen you.

“Are you still a Merlot girl?” He smiled softly with eyes I hadn’t seen in a what felt like decades and said “lucky for you I kept a few bottles on hand just in case serendipity did exist and I saw you again.” before words found there way to my lips, there was a sweet burgundy glass filled half way glistening in front of me.

He looked at me after we spent our time talking as if we’d never skipped a single beat and said “So how’s about it? How’s about that first date you owe me?”

“Only if you pour me another glass” I said confidently as I helped him turn the sign on the door and clear the dust off another bottle.

And I couldn’t believe after all this time I was here. Our first date, just like wine that had taken its time. A couple quarters in the jukebox, dancing underneath pool hall lights and tangled up in his embrace. He grabbed my waist and pulled me in as our song so conveniently played.

“What’d you wait so long for?” He paused and continued “but I hope you know that glass and this dance has been praying it’d meet you again.”

And finally he asked “Did you ever think about that night we met?”

“Of course” I laughed. “How could I forgot.” I looked down at the lipstick stain on my glass, looked back up at his sweet dark brown eyes and said “For what it’s worth, I think about that night all the time. Especially on days the world has grown so cold, and on the days that seem unbearable. I picture you as you are now, pouring me a drink and reminding me to relax and live a little. I think about those moments and hope you’re living well.”

“You do?” He looked surprised.

“All the time” I reassured him, and exhaled “because after all I had left that night without leaving a single trace to find my way back to you.”

He took my drink, we danced a few more songs, and there underneath merlot glazed lights he kissed me slowly. I couldn’t tell if it was the wine or the kiss but suddenly I found myself intoxicated from his touch.

Funny how it happened like that. I couldn’t help but think how differently my night would’ve gone had I stayed a few more minutes behind my computer screen. How different it would’ve been had I not have missed my exit to take the shortcut home because my mind was fried from everything. How funny I just so happened to stop there, and I had never felt more grateful for being completely exhausted in my life.

“Next time don’t wait so long to find me.” He smirked, kissed me once more, and patted the top of my yellow cab.

And just like that, I fell in love again.