Renaissance Flame

Renaissance Flame by Mr. Darek Michael Lucero

“Hey, Babe, I’m on my way. I just have to stop and pick up a few more items for tonight.”

“Okay, Love, I will see you soon. Babe, anything you want me to do?”

“No, Hon, I believe these are just the finishing touches for the party.”

“Party?”

“Well, our evening away from work.”

“I understand.”

“Love,...”

"Yes."

"Are..."

"Miss you..."

“Loving you more.”

Ending the call I thought about the last time we had any sort of ‘fun away from work’.

You volunteering with the ladies outside of work and me consulting with different organizations thinned out our quality time. It seems as though we were spending more time working with others instead of laughing with each other.

I noticed you changed your hair the other day; I didn’t even comment. Ignoring your effort to 'feel' better hurt me to realize how oblivious I'd been. I decided to alter the evening plans slightly. Calling ahead to the place where we were meeting I made sure the host rearranged the room to my preference.

Stopping at one of your favorite places I picked up something to create a better expression on your face than what I had seen recently. I hoped you would actually laugh at the sentiment.

Arriving at the venue I realized how much I missed our personal time together. Between doctor’s appointments, holiday gatherings, getting back into a healthier routine, and everything else ‘we’ was habit and not priority. I felt as though you were my routine and not my reward. I started to mist up realizing I was taking us for granted. I had high hopes this evening would cure what was ailing me. I further and silently prayed you weren’t mirroring my sentiments about us.

I greeted Jim (the front desk hostess) with a, “Good evening, Jim. Good to see you again.”

“Right this way, Sir.”

“Did Ron give you the last minute change?”

“Yes, she did, Sir.”

“Wonderful!”

“Thank you, Jim and to Ron as well, for accommodating the late hour change.”

“Always a pleasure to serve the Larsons, Sir.”

“I appreciate your care and respect too. Jim, I hope you enjoy the remainder of your evening.”

Entering the room I could see the careful attention the staff took in setting up our ‘vacation in the islands’ atmosphere. Each piece was perfect right down to the ‘sunset over the water’ and the scent of coconut oil in the ‘ocean air’. I could hear the waves crashing in time with the beating of my excited heart. ‘Perfect’ was the thought that came to mind. For me perfection existed when imperfect people put more than just expected consideration into creating such a moment as this.

Smiling, I set out the arrangement of treasures I wanted to present. Twenty years seems like a drop in the bucket for some couples while an eternity for others.

I didn’t have to scour the earth to find twenty mementos for each year we grew together. As I do I discover items that remind me of you. Once I inspect them I hold them to see what memory they conjure. If the moment is right...I make the purchase and file the item away for ‘later’.

Always punctual you arrived just in time for me to start the soft background music playlist. The room was ours for the evening. I hoped the host would escort you to this room instead of you just walking in as usual. My answer was to see your smiling yet shocked face.

“What..did...you…”

“Surprise.”

Silence. Followed by the ‘look’. Coupled with a widening grin,

“Okay. What’s up.” with raised eyebrows.

“Well,...”

“uh huh...well…” poking me in the ribs.

“Well...time for us to celebrate 'us' without interruption or occasion.”

You scolded with eyes and placed a delicate yet appreciated kiss on my mouth. Lingering for minutes I felt us 'spark' alive.

“Now we don’t celebrate our anniversary for another month. But...”

“yeah…”

“but, we need this.”

“Really?!”

“C’mon, Dear. I miss you. Let’s take the evening off and just have fun.”

“You mean it?”

“Why lie to you now?”

“okay.” still chiding.

Raising my phone and displaying the missing battery, I saw your eyes sparkle with the radiance I’d been missing. Removing your phone from your pocket and depressing the ‘power’ button I knew you were in agreement with me.

Celebrating I grabbed your hand and we began to dance like we did at our wedding reception. Relaxing we chatted about your day and the people who you had to ‘work’ with. Minutes or hours seemed to pass; and, as if on cue the food appeared.

“You did want to try an ‘a la carte’ type of dinner.”

“Hmm. Lemme see…” with an amused gaze.

Perusing the items and leaning over to smell the aromas I saw you reach in and pick up some food. Watching you survey the room I could only stare. The years are always more than kind to you. I age like old cheese..while you mature like the finest wine.

You stopped at a part of the room where I had some photos grouped. Watching you walk over I was overwhelmed with pride and some excitement at your stride. Such a purposeful and sexy movement...you command a room with your gait. I never tire of watching you facilitate meetings and rooms full of people.

Watching you finger each photo and recall the memories associated along with it, I brought out the cart of ‘gifts’ and waited for you to finish your ‘tour’ of the room. In mid-stride you stopped and I heard your breath catch. Looking over your shoulder I saw you shoot me that “I love you more” glace that never ceases to catch me off guard.

Noticing the table of treats you put down what was in your hands and quickly moved towards me to see what was waiting for you. While you scanned the display you reached into your pocket and handed me an envelope.

“Don’t open just yet,.”

“uh oh.”

“No peeking.”

“Si, si...Mi Amor (yes, yes...My Love)! I will not open the envelope just yet.”

I had arranged your gifts from year one to present year.

Watching you look fondly at each year’s memento I could ‘see’ you remember why each object was savory for us. Once finished with your tour of twenty years you spun around with, “Your turn.”

Raising my right eyebrow I slowly opened the envelope. Removing it’s contents I gasped my response.

“You didn’t” I began.

“I did.”

Both of us with tears streaming from joy you scooped me up in that hug that always brings me comfort.

“I realized we needed this too. I try to be prepared for such moments as well. In fact, if you hadn’t arranged this I was going to do something similar. However, I am grateful you decided to make this happen. I just have to move quickly next time.”

“I love you too!”

This was our twenty years celebration. What a night! We not only rekindled what was ebbing but...I felt as though we sparked a different season in our love life. I felt reborn.