There's Always Time for Wine

Elijah

Elijah sits nervously waiting for his date to arrive. He scans the menu, glancing towards the door often. He checks his watch. He tries to relax his arms away from his body, noticing that his armpits are beginning to sweat. He loosens the tie around his neck and grabs his water, glancing toward the door once again. Just as he is thinking he's been stood up, a woman's voice startles him from behind.

"Are you Elijah?" He coughs lightly as he chokes on his water. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." She says as she walks around to her seat. "Sorry I'm late."

"You're totally fine." He says with a light smile. "It's nice to finally meet you in person."

"Same." She glances at her phone, texts something quickly and looks back to Elijah with a smile. One he can tell is forced.

"Everything alright?"

"Oh, yeah. Everything is fine. Nothing to worry about."

"Cool. Well, this place has excellent food." He opens his menu again, having already glanced over it a couple of times. He hears her phone buzz. As he peeks over the top of his menu he notices she is texting again.

"Ah, I see your other guest has arrived." The waiter says as he approaches. "Can I start you both with something to drink?"

"I'll have whatever he is having." She states without looking up from her phone. She is now vigorously texting. Elijah scoffs lightly, trying to ignore the red flag. He decides to order something outlandish to see if she is paying attention.

"I'll have a gin and vodka martini." She isn't. The waiter raises an eyebrow. "Add an onion if you've got it."

"If you wish." The waiter says. "Do you need some more time to look over the menu?" Elijah stares at his date for a moment before nodding. The waiter walks off.

"I'm sorry, but is there something wrong?" He asks. She looks at him confused for a moment. He glares at her phone. As he does it begins to ring. She sends it to ignore.

"I'm so sorry. I know I'm being super rude. Usually this doesn't happen-" the phone rings again. "Ugh, sorry I have to take this." She answers and turns her back to Elijah. He catches a few bits of conversation… "you're where?" "No… I'll be out." "Please, don't." She hangs up the phone.

"Maybe we should reschedule? This seems like a bad time."

"Umm, yes! That's a perfect idea." She stands abruptly, colliding with the waiter returning with their drinks. Glass shatters. A few patrons turn their attention to the ruckus.

"Are you alright?" Elijah tries to help.

"Hey! Get your hands off my wife!" Elijah doesn't realize this statement is being directed at him until he is being tackled to the ground. Any patrons who hadn't looked before were now gazing upon the scene. Elijah tried to crawl away but the man was heavy and hammering down fists upon him. The woman was trying to stop her husband along with a few other staff. After a few minutes the scene had calmed. The blind date and her husband were escorted from the restaurant. Elijah stumbles to the bar, nursing a black eye. He flops down and sighs. He heads to his phone and deletes the dating app, tossing the phone onto the bar as the bartender approaches.

"What can I get for you?"

Beverly

"Wow, you look incredible." Beverly's date says as he approaches. "So sorry I'm late. I had this really important meeting that ran over. You know how it is. CEO and what not." He plops down into his chair, fatter and older than his picture online. Beverly goes to speak but before she can he interrupts her. "Have you been here before? Everything is so delicious. I'm glad you picked it. I know it's a little pricey, but you can have whatever you like, darling."

"I see your other guest has arrived." The waiter says as she approaches. "Can I start you with a few drinks?"

"Of course! I'll have a bourbon on the rocks and let me guess." He stares at Beverly for a second, taking the moment to glance at her cleavage, before responding. "A Riesling." Beverly sneers at her date for a moment before turning to the waiter.

"Actually, I'll have…

"Duh." Her date interrupts. "Why didn't I think of it. Sex on the beach." He flicks his eyebrows at her. Beverly now glares disgustingly at her date. She is about to tell him off when a loud crash from across the restaurant draws their attention. They watch as a man charges forward tackling another man.

"Excuse me." The waiter says as she rushes off toward the scene.

"Oh my God! Who'd have thought we would be getting dinner and a show." The man obnoxiously cheers on the fight until it has concluded. "Wow. What a great night so far, huh? Who gets to see something like that outside of the internet, you know. Damn, I should have recorded it. Could've gone viral." He slaps the table and laughs. He settles back into his chair. He stares at Beverly's chest one more time. "Maybe it'll end as a mind blowing night for you after we're done here." He flicks his eyebrows again.

"You know what, I've had enough of this shit." Beverly slides her chair out and begins to collect her handbag and jacket.

"Woah, wait a minute, sweetie. Where are you going? I just got here."

"I'm not your sweetie and I am aware you just got here. I've been sitting here for almost an hour waiting for your dumbass to show up."

"I told you about that. Come on it has only been fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen minutes is all I need. I don't care about your business meeting or whatever other flex you have. We had a scheduled time. Not just that, but you look nothing like your profile and you're definitely not in your late 20's. So not only are you a liar and a catfish but you're rude, obnoxious and misogynistic." Beverly tosses her bag over her shoulder and tries to leave.

"Look, I came all the way down here." He reaches out and grabs her arm. As he does she instantly reacts and punches him in the nose. He snaps back in his chair as blood begins to trickle. She grabs a glass of water and tosses it in his face.

"Next time it'll be something other than your nose." She turns and walks to the bar, tossing her bag down heavily as she slumps onto one of the stools. The bartender approaches.

"What can I get for you?"

"A shot of tequila and a glass of Merlot please."

"Bad night?" Elijah asks, taking a sip of his gin.

"I've already had to deal with one douchebag tonight, please don't make me deal with another."

"Oh trust me, I'm not trying to hit on you or anything. Just looking for some conversation. I think I've had my last romantic encounter for the time being." Beverly notices Elijah's black eye.

"Was that you? The guy who got tackled?"

"How could you tell?" He smirks.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened?"

"Dating apps. A lonely wife. You know, your typical first date." They chuckle. The bartender delivers Beverly her drinks. "Let me get that." Elijah hands the bartender his card. "Leave it open, please."

"That's really not necessary."

"I know." Elijah smiles handsomely. Beverly blushes. "I'm going to stay and drink for a bit anyway and wouldn't mind the company. If you'd like to stay." He shrugs nonchalantly. "Drinks and food on me?" Beverly picks up her Merlot.

"Who could say no to that?" She smiles and raises her glass, thinking that maybe her night full of surprises wasn't over yet.