A Glass Of Merlot

A glass of merlot

I stood outside, on the porch, ready and waiting for him. This was my first ever date and I wanted it to be perfect. I’d had a crush on Ben ever since I knew him and we had both been to the same school. He was a couple of years older than me and had left school to go to college. He wanted to train as an architect. I admired that desire greatly because I could just imagine all the beautiful things he’d create when he described them to me, but I knew there was no way I could plan a building the way he did.

Ben arrived in his parents’ car and got out the car. “Hello” he said. “I’m looking for someone called Julie. Do you know where she is?”

“Don’t be silly. It is me,” I said as he opened the passenger door for me and helped me into the car.

“Yes,“ he said “You’re all dressed up and look really great. I almost didn’t recognise you.”

“Well, you look quite smart in what you’re wearing too. I’ve always loved that top on you. The deep purple really suits you.”

“I’ve always loved you in that sky blue outfit. It brings out the blue in your eyes and makes you look so beautiful” he said as he got back into the car and switched it on again.

I wasn’t really sure what to answer because I wasn’t expecting compliments from Ben. He had been my good friend for years - someone I confided in but I although I had a crush on him, I never thought he would ever ask me out and now, here I was, on the dream date I had been waiting for (it seemed all my life).

This was a different Ben to the one I had known for years. He didn’t generally give compliments and I wasn’t sure what I thought about it. I mean, I liked them, but it just felt really odd.

“We’re going to Sparlings for dinner tonight. Hope you don’t mind. I’ve ordered your favourite, duck with a beautiful glass of merlot for the two of us. You’ll have to drink because I can only have a small glass as I’m driving you home and I’m not having it on my conscience something goes wrong.”

“Oh no! Not merlot! Please Ben. That’s disgusting! It tastes like vinegar! Ugh! I’ve hated it ever since I had it on my eighteenth birthday. Do you remember how my parents bought it specially for me and I couldn’t hide my dislike of it? I really don’t want to be like that again. It will spoil the meal!”

“Julie, don’t worry! I’m going to show you that you can get some really beautiful tasting merlot and not every one of them tastes like vinegar.”

“All right Ben. I’ll try it because it’s you.” I promised him, but shuddering inside at the thought of that horrible vinegar taste again.

We didn’t speak the rest of the journey. I didn’t really have anything to say. We were so used to each other, we were comfortable with silences.

I looked at those wine glasses sitting on the table and was dreading the moment I had to put that vile liquid to my lips. After the wine was poured, Ben said “Come on, you have to try it.”

I tried not to pull a face as it got closer to my mouth, then suddenly my eyes lit up as the wine filled my mouth and I said “Ben! What is it? It’s beautiful! Wow! Thank you so much! What a difference in the taste.”

”It’s Sabelia Red Wine from Portugal. I knew you’d prefer a sweet wine to what was served at your party.”

Years later when we looked back in remembrance of our first date together, that was all I really remembered - the very first taste of a beautiful merlot I have always and will always love. I loved it and was grateful to Ben for giving me that pleasure. I would never have known I loved the taste of merlot if he hadn’t.