Sacred Merlot

Sacred Merlot

If the Pandemic had not happened, and she had been more aware, Jade reflected, she would have avoided this dramatic Situation.

After mingling on a meeting site, and adding her two cents in the Forums, there was a Man who made her laugh. So hard, she once pee’d her pants, but that really doesn't need to be told. After their banter, she always felt uplifted. He seemed to have it together, but not think he was all that. And he was funny! Loneliness had been creeping up and overwhelming the usually social Jade. She was vulnerable, as the seeming never ending virus isolated Friends and Family.

Gathering her Courage, Jade suggested meeting for a Picnic by the River. She wondered if he would be wearing a Mask. She liked his Name, Victor. She fantasized. Anticipating, she prepared for the Sunday Rendezvous, mentally, reminding herself not to bring her Baggage, She knew she had a lot. Then went shopping for Croissants, Cheeses and some Merlot, not knowing if he even liked Wine.

Victor was there waiting, in his mask, when she appeared. He had found a private spot on the River. He was very tall and thin with Bottom-Bottle Glasses, which she convinced her self, made him look studious or even intelligent. He was intense, staring through her. It was not an instant Comfort, but he had laid out a Blanket so she set the Basket on it. He awkwardly held out his Hand , pulled off the mask, and smiled, with very crooked yellow Teeth. Opening the Basket, she showed him what she had made to share. He immediately grabbed the Bottle of Merlot, and asked for the Cork Screw. She mentioned, she could not drink on an empty Stomach, so maybe they should eat first. He explained: “it’s not a Problem for me”, and proceeded to gulp down more than half the Bottle. She tried not to watch. She poured a Glass for herself, so he would not drink it all. She mentioned, that she liked his Sense of Humor, at which Point he stands up and makes Faces and dances crazily around the Picnic Basket. Meanwhile kicking the Glass of Merlot over her white Silk Skirt, that she just had made that Morning. Victor, laughing maniacally, states: “Red Wine spills over, just like a giant Ink Blot, testing Sanity”, then he pulls off her Skirt and throws it into the River.

“Ok”, Jade thinks, now this is getting scary, as she watches her Skirt billow and flow down the River. Covering herself with the Picnic Blanket and grabs the Butterknife.

This is not going good. She says she is cold and asks him to build a Fire. Victor says he can keep her warm, as he finishes the Bottle of Merlot. She decides to out-crazy him, and laughs hysterically.

Instantly, he accuses her of laughing at him, which makes her more hysterical. His Fists clench and unclench. She slides the empty Merlot Bottle under the Blanket, and now has the Butterknife in one Hand, and the Bottle in the other. He still stares through her with Soulless Eyes. Jades Life does a quick Flash past in her Mind. She will fight to the death. She is not ready to die at the Hands of this Monster, or to be violated, raped by him.

Victor watches her with hungry Eyes and spittle between his Lips. Stinking of Rot, he sits on the Ground next to her, claiming: “some day you will Love me as my Wife, God has told me, you are mine, you are the blessed one, I accept you and take you, this Union is sanctified, you are the chosen one for me. We will always be together!”

He reaches over her, as she swings out her right Arm and smashes him on the Head with the sacred Merlot Bottle. It shatters. He passes out completely. She had always been told, she had a good arm.

Leaving him unconscious on the Ground, she wrapped the Picnic Blanket around her Buns, picked up her Basket and raced down the River Trail to the first People she found. Thankfully, she knew them.

She had a new found Love of Merlot after this Incident, and would occasionally flash back to Victor claiming: “Red Wine spills over ,just like a giant Ink Blot, testing Sanity”. She heard he was in the psych ward of the local hospital .

She vowed to be more careful, dating in the Future. Being alone was not so bad!