Who’s/Who’re Broken Wings?

Who’s/Who’re Broken Wings?

It’s been a long seven years since he felt the love of a good woman. Seven years living alone manoeuvering the life of a widower. He thought he was doing just fine, but not one of his male friends believed the words he repeatedly spoke. For the last two years, his buddies’ wives often surprised him with blind dates at dinner parties, causing his anxiety to rise and the sweat to roll.

Once, just once, he wanted it to go right and not wrong. At barely sixty-one years of age, Henry was tired of the same old dating scene, consistently producing disappointing results.

He knew the joy of seeing a smiling face early in the morning, and not once has he seen a smile warm enough to draw his eyes. Like most men, Henry loved a funny woman. Who wouldn’t? Henry knew he was picky; sometimes, he recognized his fussy level as the first resistant wall he needed to remove.

Almost every Saturday night for the last couple of years, Henry arrives at one of his friend’s homes, waiting for the next blind date fiasco to begin. He knew he needed to continue filling his life, or soon he would lose the desire for a woman’s love. Henry clearly understood he didn’t want to continue wandering the rest of his life alone. Still, without a better personal effort, it might become his normal.

Time and time again, he reminded himself of the beautiful moments he shared with Merlina. Each memory left him wanting more. He knew it was possible, but he wasn’t sure if he had the mental and physical energy required to sift through the different characteristics each woman possessed. Disturbingly, the efforts he continued to make resulted in disappointing failures.

From the moment she began to drink the third glass of Merlot. Henry knew the blind date sitting at the dinner table was not going to fit into his world. He didn’t want a mirror image of Merlina, but he did want someone who likes to smile or at least tries to laugh. He did his damndest to get a laugh; the more he tried, the more stone-cold she became.

He was contented living alone; he didn’t need household help and was beginning to adjust to the non-regimented routine of self-isolation. Since his recent retirement, he fired the housekeeper and took control of the household responsibilities with hopes of keeping busy. His hopes died every morning just after 10 am, seeing his complete list of chores finished leaving him with nothing but time on his hands.

Henry continues to stand hopeful in finding a woman interested in the social side of life. He often considered going out alone but felt buying a ticket for one seat to any couples function could be problematic. Both Henry and his wife liked the social life his large city had to offer. The year they both turned 21, he made room in the financial budget for live theatre and weekend outings. Their adventures travelling the neighbouring States and discovering new talented rock bands were the best time of their lives, lasting thirty years.

The dating sites flashing across every media screen didn’t interest Henry. He heard the rumours and felt much safer meeting someone in the grocery store before the summer sunrise. Two of his divorced buddies liked the variety provided by different dating sites. His work friends encouraged him to cast a line or two since his wife’s passing. Henry heard their stories and knew it wasn’t his scene, passing on each offer.

Every Sunday Morning, Henry swears he will never again agree to a blind date. This Sunday, he realized the task of improving his life was in his own hands; his bravery grew. Henry opened the newspaper and searched for the social entertainment section. Quickly, seeing a giant advertisement for a famous old rock band spread across the first page read. "For one-night-only Saturday Night performing at the Cabaret, Broken Wings." After last night’s supper disaster, Henry decided to buy a ticket and not be available for next Saturday’s typically lousy blind date.

The weekdays can be very long when the only thing occupying your mind is finding Miss right for you. Henry felt every minute crawl by, getting to Saturday. He didn’t know exactly why, but he knew he needed to take a big step out of his comfort zone alone. Early, Henry readied for a single man’s night on the town. At six, he called a cab and headed directly downtown. At seven, he stopped at a nice restaurant and ordered his evening meal with a 9 oz glass of Merlot.

The second the waiter delivered his drink, a woman appeared out of nowhere and instantly sat in the empty chair next to Henry. She reached for the glass of wine, asking if he ordered it for her? He immediately laughed. Surprising her right back with, “I didn’t know you were coming!” She laughed and introduced herself as Bright. She apologized for the intrusion and quickly explained, she was starving and short on time. “The restaurant is packed tonight, sorry, but I saw the empty seat with no place setting, so I surmised you were dining alone.” Bright picked up the glass of red wine and took a small sip saying, “I’m not much of a drinker, would you like to share?” Again, Henry laughed at this woman’s atypical intrusion and her intended pun of asking to share. As though the waiter heard Bright speak, he immediately placed another glass of Merlot upon the table. Henry asked if she would like to join him for supper. “I’ve placed my order; we can ask the server to double it.” Bright smiled, accepting the dining offer. She checked her watch, saying, “I have 50 minutes before the curtain call.”

Henry was intrigued, “Curtain call? You work at the theatre?” Bright smiled, saying, “Yes and No. I volunteer at the Savoy. I love the nightlife in this city and really can’t afford the season tickets, so I volunteer backstage. Free admission is my kind of entertainment.” Quickly, she grinned at him, saying, “I’m not looking for a free dinner. Actually, I would like to repay you for your polite acceptance of my intrusion. Tonight’s dinner is my treat!”

Bright lit up every second she talked about the joy she felt experiencing such an active nightlife from the moment she sat at his table. Henry sat back and let her fill the room with her vibrant personality. He listened closely to each word as if he was her student learning the theatre production’s ins and outs. He was surprised to discover, her nightlife included more daytime hours than evening. The backstage crew she assisted were artists creating the backdrops. “It typically takes less than three days of work to be rewarded with two great seats. I often have a female friend accompany me to the performances; tonight, she bailed last minute for a blind date! Leaving me rushed.”

Henry laughed while silently wishing the bugger good luck.

From the second she accosted his dinner, Henry wanted to drink in much more of her vibrant flavour. The smell of her perfume waffled in the air with every toss of her long dark curly hair. He noticed everything and nothing.

She wore no make-up or shinning jewelry. The yellow dress she dons fit her name to a tee. Bright’s self-confidence showed with each change in conversation while keeping all appropriate first meet answers to a respectful response time. Henry wasn’t sure about Bright’s age, but he felt her maturity level was most satisfying. The positivity she showed was far beyond any woman he had ever met. They both seemed relieved more than sad when they discovered neither of them had children. Almost quoting simultaneously, “you don’t miss what you don’t have,” sent both of them on a laughing spurt.

When the waiter appeared with the check, Bright instantly asked Henry if he would like to accompany her to the theatre. Henry explained the one ticket he had for a famous band playing further down the street. Bright suggested he leave the band ticket as a tip for the waiter, and they continue their adventure on her hard-working dime. Henry was hooked when he heard the word “adventure.” Quickly, he retrieved the band ticket from his leather jacket pocket and placed it upon the server’s tray. When Bright paid the dining bill, Henry leaned right toward her and shared. “Before we go any further, I must tell you. If I could ever plan a dream date, this would be the start.”

The moment they exited the restaurant, two new friends comfortably chatted while walking arm in arm East on Water Street toward the Savoy. Henry had seen many a production in the city over the years. Still, he had never known the crazy world lived behind any theatre performance. Bright seemed to have found her niche, and it showed in her continuous glow.