Perfect Night

It had been a long time since I’ve done this, and now I remember why I stopped. The embarrassing looks and barely veiled whispers of pity...yeah this is why the dating game is the absolute worst! After drinking just water for the past two and half hours, it was past time to call it quits and just go home to the half gallon of sweet, sweet ice cream. I swear I can hear it calling my name from my freezer 4.5 blocks away. I know what you’re thinking, but I think I deserve a little comfort tonight. Heck yeah I do! Okaaay....now that I’ve vented a wee bit....”breathe in, breathe out” I can gather what’s left of my dignity and go. I should leave a tip, yeah, I didn’t actually order anything, but hey, they did make several trips to refill my water glass way more than is probably socially acceptable. And, they deserve a better reward than added steps on their Fitbit. Setting the tip down, holding my head high, turning, I proceed to bump into a solid body....and promptly fall on my ass....or would’ve, if said solid body hadn’t swiftly caught me in what I hoped appeared to be an epic movie worthy moment.

After apologizing profusely to each other and me wishing I could turn invisible right about now, and wondering if this night could get even worse...He smoothly introduced himself as Joshua. Admitting that he had noticed me sitting there, it being quite painfully obvious having been stood up. He said that this evening was especially beautiful, and couldn’t let such a night go to waste, because such moments are better when shared with someone. So, he asked if I would honor him by joining him for supper!

I’m not gonna lie, I was skeptical, like who just agrees to have dinner with a total stranger....oh wait...yeah. Yes, I had agreed to do that very thing, but this guy was actually here. And yeah I’m hungry now. Plus, this guy was way better than the Tinder date I was originally going to see, and all the effort that went into this, ladies you know what I’m talking about! My Mom taught me to not be wasteful. So yes, I agreed to join him for supper.

He ordered some wine, a classic Merlot...telling me how it was a family favorite, because of how it once saved a wedding from complete disaster. Nothing worse than running out of the main beverage of choice, just when the reception had started. I let him choose the meal, because let face it I wasn’t really prepared to order something sensible since just moments before i was planning on simply raiding my freezer. He ordered us both the Chef’s Special, saying that he was especially fond of how much it reminded him of his mothers cooking. It soon became clear he was close friends with the owner of the restaurant, and watching him interact with the staff, he was a regular and a favorite. And it wasn’t like a “He must be rich, so be nice to him,” way, but it was more genuine and “we’ve been friends forever” kind of way. So thats a good sign, right?

We chatted about small basic things while waiting for the food to arrive. Simple things, getting to know each other. You know, like ‘Where are you from? What do you do? How old are you? Can I have your drivers license number?” Yeah, ya know the basics.

When the food arrived, omg! It smelled so good! I had to subtlety check for drool. I couldn’t remember when the last time food affected me this way. Dang! I must’ve been hungrier than I thought, and I hadn’t even taken a bite yet. My reaction hadn’t, unfortunately gone unnoticed, he chuckled with a knowing smirk. He’s like “I told you!”

It was incredible, I honestly don’t think there’s enough words in this language, or any language for that matter, that could truly describe what I was tasting. It was like an adventure and coming home all wrapped together. Sweet memories long forgotten, flittered past. Whoa?!? What was in this stuff?! I had a thought that perhaps I had entered some alternate reality or something. It was that good, and I can neither confirm nor deny that I might’ve moaned once or twice.

Moving on....conversation still flowed quite easily, despite me so elegantly stuffing my face. We shared stories of home and laughed over the memories. It was like, suddenly we had known each other for ever and were simply catching up like old friends. After the food was long gone, he led me out to the outside veranda. The stars lit up the sky. I had never seen so many before, usually the city lights overpower everything. But it was absolutely stunning. We danced and laughed, talking for hours about everything and nothing. The rest of the world and all the worries about yesterday and tomorrow, no longer mattered. It was just the here and now. The sun was beginning to crest the skyline, it was the touch of dawn! We took a moment of silence taking in the colorful masterpiece painting the sky. He turned and looked at me, his gaze holding me there. “Remember, this world is a beautiful, splendid place, full of mysteries and wonders that people are still learning about. There will always be more to discover, more to learn. And just when you think you have it all figured out, you’ll discover a whole new side. Life is a precious and beautiful thing, so go live it! Follow your dreams, they are yours and we’re given to you for a reason, all that you’ve been through, the pain and the joy, it is what makes you, you. It is what passion is born from, what drives the heart to understand, to empathize, to feel. I know that there are days and times when you feel as though it’s all too much, that it’s just not worth it. Don’t let the “no-shows” in life dictate your value, because you are worth more than any gold, silver, or any precious stone, you...are...worth...everything! There is so much out there for you, so much. Today is a brand new day, and full of potential to those who are willing. I have greatly enjoyed our time together, but I have to let you go, for now.” He smiled, a hint of sadness overtaking the previous intensity. Wait! I wasn’t ready for this to end yet!!! It’s been too perfect! He opened his arms, an invitation. We hugged (the best hug ever!) I wasn’t ready to let go yet, keeping my eyes closed trying to hold onto this perfect moment. Opening my eyes, saying my goodbyes and how I’d like to do this again, the spinning ceiling fan in my bedroom was the first thing I saw. Sitting up quickly, my hands feeling around for any companion, coming up with nothing but air and blankets. What had happened?!? What time was it?! Looking to my bedside table, I forgot how to breathe. The glass of water I always keep there, was red. After a sniff and tentative sip, it was confirmed, it was a glass of Merlot....wait! I don’t own any wine!