A Sip of Memories

A man was seated on a chair, facing a beautifully set table. He nervously waited, fidgeting with the velvety feel of the tablecloth as his right leg started shaking in accordance with his habit. He sighed, trying to calm himself down by looking at his surroundings.

He was in a dimly lit busy restaurant, the hustle of rush hour evident in the way servers were moving about from the kitchen to the tables trying to get their job done. Names were being called out from the waitlist as people left and tables were cleaned to welcome new crowds and families.

The man sighed, wishing the torturous wait would end. He looked at the bottle of merlot that said Jetbird. "Bright Cellars, you're my only hope;" he whispered under his breath.

"Um...Ethan right?"

He looked up to see an Indian girl with caramel brown eyes, dark skin, and jet black curly hair that she had clearly tried to tame but had a mind of its own.

Ethan felt his heart skip a beat as he stared at her beauty. His nervousness naturally filtered away and was replaced by adoration, love, genuine happiness, and every other positive feeling in the world; "Uh yes. You're Alisha correct?"

Alisha's lips twitched into a small smile as she sat opposite Ethan.

"Is something funny?" Ethan asked, although he already knew the answer. "Let me guess, hearing your name in my Canadian accent?"

Her smile grew wider at Ethan's understanding; "Right on the mark, but please don't feel like I'm making fun of you. I wasn't."

"I know. Of course I know."

Alisha's brows furrowed as she looked at her date, confused by the sense of familiarity she felt with him, considering she'd never met him before today.

"I...can I tell you a story?" Ethan asked, nervousness gripping him again. He had initially wanted to wait until they were stable enough in their relationship so she didn't think he was crazy, but he refused to waste a single second of the time he had with her.

"Sure." She replied.

Ethan coughed once, clearing his throat in preparation; "Around a century ago, there were two people who met each other and fell in love at first sight. They dedicated their lives to one another, but sadly, their love wasn't accepted by society and even their own families."

"Is this some Romeo and Juliet type of thing? I'm not really into tragedies." Alisha interrupted.

"Well, it is a tragedy because they didn't get to be together. As for the why, it wasn't because of a status difference, it was because they were both men."

Alisha bit her lip, feeling even more confused that the date she was hoping would go well, took a weird turn; "...That is sad and frankly not fair but...quick question, are you coming out to me? This is a date right? Or did you need to tell a stranger before you were ready to come out to people you know?"

"No I---"

"I'm really not mad if that's the case. Just wished you'd texted me about it when we were talking. I mean, I've found more friends on this dating app than boyfriends so I'm more than happy to be your friend."

"You were a guy in your past life." Ethan pushed, cringing as he said it but looking for her reaction all the same.

"Um, Ethan?"

"Yeah?"

Alisha looked at him indecorously; "I'd advise you never to use that story as a pick up line again, it got seriously lost in translation. Like what's the point of it? Something like your love for me transcends gender?"

"Well, it does. Still, what I'm trying to say is I love you;" Ethan replied, trying to sound as non-creepy as possible.

"From the first date? Right, cause I'm totally gullible enough to believe that." Alisha grabbed her purse, getting ready to leave. "This is clearly not working out, It was nice meeting you but I think I'm going to leave."

"Please;" Ethan started with desperation, "At least drink the merlot. Tell me if my choice is any good?"

Alisha looked at at the bottle of merlot on the table, then back at Ethan. She did want to leave, but the sense of familiarity she felt with Ethan since the beginning made her want to stay; "Well, you're off to good start since its from Bright Cellars. My favorite brand."

Ethan's face showed visible relief as she put her purse down. He poured the wine in their glasses and watched with hope as she took a sip.

Alisha felt tears sting her eyes as she tasted the wine and was greeted with a flood of forgotten memories. She finished her glass all at once, then looked at her date with the same loving eyes that he looked at her with.

The tears spilled; "You remembered...all by yourself? Must have been so hard." Her voice cracked.

Ethan shook his head; "It was worth it, since I knew I'd see you again."

"How did you even recognize me? I'm a girl."

He chuckled; "I'd recognize you even if you were a freaking Smurf. Honestly, there's nothing different about you. You still have the beautiful curly hair that you hate, those mesmerizing eyes, and that horrible and now out of style love for polka dotted patterns."

Alisha looked down at her flowy top laughing; "Its an amazing pattern that's gonna be back in style in no time." She became serious again; "Ethan, your name is the same."

"I changed it the moment I was old enough. I couldn't live with myself if you didn't recognize me because of a stupid name."

Alisha looked down at the empty glass in her hand, "This tastes like..."

"The first drink I ever bought you? Yeah, I know. That's why I chose it. I was hoping it would make you remember."

"It did."

Ethan reached across the round table, wiping her tears, "Guess I owe Bright Cellars a thank you letter."

"I love you." Alisha said as she grabbed his hand.

"I love you too."

Alisha smiled ,"This has been the most successful first date I've ever had. Thank you for finding me."

"Talk about a dream date, huh?"