A Day of Merlot and Roses

Gamay sits beside her grandmother in the hospital. She smiles as she strokes her grandmother’s hand.

“Nona, tell me how you and grandpa met?”

Her grandmother turned her head and smiles. “Oh, it was so long ago, but I remember like it was yesterday.” Her eyes twinkle.

“Do tell, Nona. Mom always says to ask you.”

“That sounds like your mother.” Nona chuckles.

“It was 1942. The world was at war. The U.S. still hadn’t entered the war. Young men enlisted eager to do battle. My girlfriends and I went dancing. We were seated off to the side sipping wine. There was a commotion by the front door. Five men entered wearing their uniforms. They were so handsome in the military whites. The girls and I just tried to not stare. We would sneak peeks.”

“Did one of them catch your eye?”

“Oh yes! He was so tall. He was fit, his hair cut short and slicked back. He had such a twinkle in his eye. They hooted and hollered. They were on that enlistment high. The world was their oyster and they planned to enjoy every minute of it.”

“Did he come over and talk with you?”

“Oh, he caught me taking a peek at him. He lifted his beer bottle, smiled and finished his beer. He called the bartender over and asked him a question. The bartender answered and the next thing I know the cocktail waitress brought over a glass of Merlot for me!”

“How exciting, Nona!”

“Oh, it was. He watched the server give me the drink and point towards him to show me who bought the Merlot for me. I held up my glass and remember thinking what a pretty color. He made his way over. I watched him walk to our table. We locked eyes.”

“Was it love at first sight, Nona?”

Nona chuckles. “It was for me. There’s just something about a man in uniform.”

“Oh, Nona.”

“Wartime brings out so many emotions. There’s the anticipation of winning. No one thinks of death until the men leave. Then that is all you think about as you wait for each letter that confirms he is still alive or at least alive as of two weeks ago.”

“Joshua introduced himself to me. I introduced him to everyone at the table.”

“Who do I have the pleasure of sharing a drink with tonight?”

“My name is Rose.”

“Your name reflects your beauty.”

“Thank you. You are so kind.”

“I’m just telling the truth. Can my friends join us?”

“Well, girls?”

There was a chorus of “Yes!”

Joshua waves his fellow seamen over to join them. They practically ran over to our table. We talked loud since the band was playing. I love swing music. It really peps you and is wonderful exercise!”

“Was Grandpa a good dancer?”

“He asked me if I wanted to cut the rug. He didn’t really wait for me to say yes. As soon as I smiled he grabbed my hand and off we went! Oh, he could cut the rug alright. His momma made him take dance lessons that he just hated, but after that night he would thank his momma every time he saw her for making him take them. We danced and danced until we were breathless. Other dancers came and went.”

“It sounds like you had so much fun.”

“Oh, it was! We were all decked out in our swing dresses. Though the other girls didn’t dance much. Your grandpa loved to twirl and toss me in the air.” She laughs as her face livens and appears twenty years younger.

“I wish I could see the two of you swing!”

“Your grandpa loved to dance up until his last two years when he was in a wheelchair. Even then, he would twirl his wheelchair and bebop to the music.”

“What was your favorite song to dance with Grandpa?”

“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. It was fast and it was so telling of the times. It was even in a movie!”

“Did you have a favorite slow dance?”

“Moonlight Becomes You.”

“I don’t know that one!”

“It goes something like this:

Moonlight becomes you, it goes with your hair

You certainly know the right thing to wear

Moonlight becomes you, I'm thrilled at the sight

And I could get so romantic tonight.”

Her voice warbled and tears gathered at the edge of her eyes. Memories of the last time she danced to that song with Joshua flooded her senses as she returned back to those days of Merlot and roses.

“That’s a beautiful song. Let me see if I can find it on my phone.” Gamay searches for the song and finds it. They both listen to it.

“Are you okay, Nona?”

“Yes, I was just remembering. Your grandpa was everything to me. I do hope you are lucky enough to find your one and only.”

“What happened after you danced?”

“We went back to the table and the others had paired off. It seemed there was someone for everyone! We went to another table and talked until the place closed. The flower girl came around and he bought me some roses.”

He said, “You are much more beautiful than these flowers.”

“I took inhaled the scent and thanked him.”

“Joshua said, ‘I would love to see you as much as I can before I ship out in six weeks.’”

“I smiled. I wanted to shout Yes! Instead, I looked down to calm myself. I hesitated.”

“I’m sorry, I thought you would want to. I’ walk you home and I was glad to have met you.”

“I would like that very much.”

“You would?” He smiled and hugged me tight. “I have a feeling that I met my one and only tonight.”

I smiled and said, “Me too.”

“We are going to name our first child Merlot.”

“Now why would we do that to our child?”

“If it wasn’t for the Merlot…”

“So that’s how Mom got her name!”