Monday Night

Every Monday evening at seven for the past eleven months, the waiter would place a glass of merlot on the table in front of the middle window facing the street at the Blue Rose Inn. It’s an arrangement Stephen and the manager made after his wife’s tragic death. The glass of wine would sit there, even if Stephen was running late and no one dared disturb that table from seven on.

Stephen would have long conversations with the glass of merlot without moving his lips, though at times he would let out a chuckle or a sigh. He was a gentle reminder to the patrons on Monday nights that life and love are fragile and fleeting.

Stephen met Penni on a dating app four years ago. Their first date would be at the Blue Rose Inn Bar and Restaurant in the middle of downtown. Stephen arrives early as usual.

“Hey Mister Phil!” Stephen says to the host, who would soon become the manager. “Table for two please.” “Drinks?” “Yeah, surprise me with something on tap and a glass of merlot for my date.” He read on her profile that she loves red wine. After sitting at the table alone, he decides to give her until seven twenty before he chalks it up to another stand up, he’s getting used to it. Well, it’s seven nineteen and Stephen reaches for the glass of merlot, no good wine should go to waste. Before he gets to it, the sound of horse hooves quickly approach the table. He looks over expecting a Clydesdale only to see a tiny framed brunette in high heels and thick lipstick that matches the wine he was about to drink. “Sorry I’m late, it’s been a day. Oh, I’m Penni with an i. She grabs the glass of wine, downs it like a sailor, then says, “I sure hope you’re Stephen!” “Yes, Stephen with a ph.”

The two sit talking for hours and after two more merlots and three more “tap surprises”, they call it a night and call for a cab.

A year of Monday night dates at the Blue Rose and numerous sleep overs, they are ready to take things to the next level. Penni never got tired of telling all who would listen, that she found her person and Stephen never got tired of telling his buddies that he needs to make her an honest woman. The two wed and still keep their Monday night dates. It must be the merlot and the cold beer.

It was a busy Monday night in December and Stephen was running late to the weekly ritual. He wasn’t too worried, Penni usually ran later. He ordered the glass of wine and his beer. He liked the table by the window, he got a kick out of watching people bump into light posts while their heads were in their phones.

His face brightens as he sees Penni across the street. Even after three years, his heart still skips a beat every time his eyes look upon her thick, burgundy lips. He glances down at the merlot making sure it’s in the proper place for her petite hand to grab. As he peeks back up, he doesn’t see Penni, only a mob of people standing in the street that Penni was crossing. A cab didn’t see her. They told him that it happened so fast that she didn’t suffer, so now he’ll suffer for the both of them.

Stephen and Penni’s friends are suggesting that he should consider going on a date, after all, it’s been nearly a year since Penni died. Though there is no manual on the proper grieving time over the love of your life, he knows they are probably right.

It’s Monday night and Stephen is off to the Blue Rose for his date. Not with a human, but with the glass of merlot that awaits him at the table by the window. He sits pondering life and love and if he’ll ever be happy again, when all of a sudden he hears the sound of horse hooves! Turning around, he sees a woman rushing towards his table. She looks nothing like Penni except for the thick burgundy lipstick. She falls into the chair across from him like she was playing tag and made it to home base. Before Stephen could say a word, the woman grabs the wine, downs it and says, “It's been a long day, how’d you know I love merlot?” He started to open his mouth, but it was already opened in awe, when she says, “Sorry for running late, by the way, I’m Sindi with an S and an I, I sure hope you’re Brad.” Stephen answers, “Well I’m not, but I am Stephen with an S and a ph. The two sit and talk for hours. After two more merlots and three more beers, they call it a night and call for a cab.