A Dream In a Wine Glass

Yolanda’s life felt to her like window shopping. She could pass by and watch all the things she dreamed of having, but simply not afforded them. She lived in her own imagination and there were times that those thoughts were so vivid that she had to remind herself that they simply were just that – thoughts. Her thoughts ran wild, and the multiple unfinished stories were a testament of that. She wanted to be a famous writer since a child. Her intentions were in place but her discipline was something of the contrary.

After Saniya left for college a year ago, she promised herself she would finish a least one project. Her mind shifted from one strong desire to another but this time, yes she would at least write more and put her poetry in one place. The start would certainly be to organize her work and this way she would have something to look forward to. She had always had one reliable outlet – her teaching career. She loved teaching but after 19 years of teaching – even that was not enough anymore. Truth be told, she was lonely and feeling uninspired for quite some time.

Yolanda survived a nasty divorce10 years ago, bounced back financially, and managed to purchase a modest home. Yolanda cultivated her own place of peace over time.

She did not have as much luck in the love department. She tried dating many times, but never met anyone she could truly see herself with since the divorce. Being married to Ron and then splitting required much healing. Ron’s multiple affairs - she did not think she would ever trust again. Once she pulled the plug, she never looked back.

It had been 3 years since she had been on a date. When Devin asked her out after years of doing landscaping work for her, she declined. He was eye candy but he had his own problems over the years. When she first met him, he was in an unhappy marriage. Time went on before he and his wife separated. That is when the hints started – no chance though because she does not mix business and pleasure nor does she involve herself with married men.

Last year, his divorce was final and the hints got louder. One day she had to laugh at herself when she caught herself changing sundresses before he arrived and adding more lip gloss before answering the door. Yeah she liked him but seriously, no.

He finally convinced her last weekend after he finished the yardwork. She could not resist him that last time. It was something about the look in his eyes when he asked her out this time. He promised there was no pressure. He had a way of looking through her when he spoke to her as if he knew she needed to talk to someone just as much as he did.

Even after working outside, sweaty, and tired – he was nice to look at. She could only imagine how good he may look when he cleaned up nice. Something about him screamed it was all safe, but how many times did she think she was safe and it turned out she was not?

The following Saturday rolled around. Devin would not tell her where they were going but he told her “just come as your usual pretty self”. Yolanda tried on 4 sundresses before she settled on the floral one which tied around the neck. She added the coconut oil to her hair locs and her favorite pink lip gloss – it had a shimmer to it. She opted for the brown sandals which showcased her freshly pedicured toes nicely. She was tempted at least twice to try on another dress but she finally ignored the urge and decided to keep it moving. After all, she was very satisfied with the final look. For the first time in a while, she felt excitement about going somewhere.

Her days had been full of lesson planning, walks at the track, reading, and writing. She needed something new in her life. She has been longing for a change, but always leery of what some changes bring. After all, it took a long time to get to this place of peace.

She waited until Devin knocked twice before she answered. When she opened the door, her stomach did a little flip. He had this way of looking at her. His eyes were everything – big brown eyes. When he flashed that smile, she could not help but to blush!

“I’m not telling where we are going. I want you to relax on the way.” Oh, she could get used to this. With Joe’s song on play, the day felt so right already. A beautiful day, a nice ride to a surprise spot, and laid-back vibes was all Yolanda needed right now.

They talked some about Devin’s only child, Korey, as well as what inspired him to open a landscaping business. Yolanda learned that a landscaping business was his father’s dream. When Devin was growing up, his father did most of the landscaping work in the neighborhood. He died before starting his official dream business. “I wish he had been here to at least see it happen but the Most High had other plans. I know he sees me making things happen.” They talked about relationship goals and it was refreshing to hear him say he was not afraid of commitment and that he wanted it more than anything with the right one.

The drive was 30 minutes and then they pulled up to a very nice location just off the exit. She could see that the sign that reads “Dandridge Winery”. Oh my God, he was really paying attention. Yolanda kept no secrets about her love for red wine. Her tummy did another flip when she saw what she was about to experience. The smell was amazing when the host opened the door. She could hear the faint sound of sizzling, soft music playing, and oh the lighting – perfect! The room was a little dim and the vibe was just right. She liked how Devin protectively took her hand as the host walked them to their table. It was clear by the greeting and exchange; he took the time to make reservations.

Bread rolls and salad were brought out as they studied the wine and food menu. When the waiter came, Yolanda pondered over the Merlot options before she settled on her favorite, a glass of Mojave Rain. “Wait...so your go-to is Merlot?” asked Devin. “Yes, my favorite”, she smiled. “That is so interesting because although I knew before today that you love red wine, I never realized it was Merlot wine. My father was a big fan of Merlot wine. Merlot was the only type of wine he would drink.” She could tell that Devin was blown by the coincidence and so was she.

Mojave Rain is a smooth wine with an amazing contrast of fruit and dark chocolate. After the waiter brought the first glass, she closed her eyes to take in the first sip. When she opened her eyes again, he was staring. “Here we are. I finally got you to go out with me. You do know this is one of many more, right?” “Well, how do you know that?” she asked coyly. “I knew a long time ago when I first started doing work for you. I just needed time to convince you.” She giggled at his words. Truthfully, she did not know how to receive this intense attention.

Yolanda decided on chipotle portabella tacos and Devin ordered turkey meatballs in cream sauce over mashed potatoes with a side of green beans. While they waited for the food, they conversed about places they have traveled and places they would like to travel soon. Yolanda found him so easy to talk to and he was thinking the same. As they ate the food, Devin asked her, “What do you want? What would truly make you happy?” “Wow, what an amazing question. I was married for years and my ex-husband never asked me that question before or during marriage!” She picked up her glass and as she did, Devin asked the waitress for another glass of the Mojave Rain for her.

That question was an awesome question – what would she say? This had to be a moment she would have to pour out. Surely she would feel so much better and freer afterwards. No one had taken the time before. “I want desire and safety in the same place. I want to experience peace, contentment, joy, life with a lifelong companion… a true best friend. And let’s see…..”. She paused for a bit and went on to say “ It’s remarkable that we discussed traveling because I crave to see more of the world. I don’t travel enough.” She paused again. “Goodness Devin! What a question!” He smiled and nodded in a way that encouraged her to continue. “I just want to do grow spiritually, be an amazing mom to my daughter, fulfil my purpose in life, and to find that beautiful balance in life. And I hope to one day complete my unfinished stories and publish them.”

Devin was highly impressed at her depth. She never once said material things, money, or status. Ultimately she wants happiness, peace, fulfilment. He found that super attractive. She interrupted his thoughts when she asked, “Now, what about you?” To be able to open up in this way to a woman he has desired for years made this a different and special day. “After being in an unhappy marriage for so long, it changes you. It kills your spirit to be in a forced, unhealthy situation. I want a best friend. A best friend to make love to, travel with, cry with, laugh with, and to just be completely myself with. I never had that before. I always had a vision of what works for me but my choices were different from the vision of love I have. Fatherhood, a solid love, a solid business, and financial freedom are at the top of my list.”

This conversation made her wine taste so much better. This moment felt so right. She felt like she could say anything from her heart. They sat for hours laughing and talking about so many topics. The conversation flowed so well that Devin moved his seat from across the table to directly beside her. She was able to talk about her initial fears of Saniya leaving home for college and even the depression settling in afterwards. She heard about the sad feelings of an empty nest and those emotions took place with her as well. He hugged her as she spoke out it which gave her encouragement to speak more.

By the time she got home, she could feel the effects of the 3 glasses of wine but in an easy, flirty kind of way. At the door, he gently moved her loc back to get a full view of her face before kissing her. She had not let her guard down like this in a long time. After kissing her, Devin said, “If you let me, I want to support you and be around to see those dreams manifest. You can have it and you deserve it. Let me take you out again this week.” Yolanda did not hesitate, she blushed hard, and her tummy did a bunch of those flips again before she said, “Of course, I will go out with you again. I had a wonderful time.”

She thought about him all that night and countless times following that. It was clear that he studied her because that night turned out to be the best date she could remember. As it turns out, it was certainly not the last.