Fate & Merlot

Fate and Merlot

By Lisa Ernst

The candle danced in the crystal votive throwing patterns of light skittering across the table linen. As the flame flickered, it glinted off the glass of merlot in front of him, which remained barely touched but bought with the idea it would calm his nerves. The dim lighting in the restaurant had a welcomed calming effect on the man seated at the table. Adjusting his tie again he caught his image in the mirror on the wall across from him and he forced himself to be still. He had no recollection of being like this on a date before, but then he had never been set up with a person that he knew little or nothing about, who he never met or even seen, and may or may not be “just his type,” whatever that meant. If not for David’s insistence, or more to the point David’s wife, he never would have envisioned this scenario happening at all. It was not how he usually went about this, but then, the way he normally went about things hadn’t worked.

The small bell on the door of the bistro tinkled as another couple entered. Not his date. Lydia’s friend was supposed to be a blonde in a red dress. For a moment his mind blanked and he couldn’t remember his date’s name. What was it again? Becky? Barbara? Beth? His nerves came rushing back as his mind began to panic and frantically search for her name. What was it! What if she shows up and he can’t remember? That would be just the kind of start to the evening that would ensure it went downhill fast. He really couldn’t think of anything worse than standing there blankly trying to remember her name as he introduced himself. She’d think him an idiot!

At just that moment, the happy tones of the bell washed over him again. As he looked up, in walked a woman that fit Lydia’s description to a T. She hesitated in the door for just a moment as if she was considering a possible retreat. He understood that feeling completely. Then, very subtly, she squared her shoulders just slightly and her head came up just a notch as if she had made a decision and was preparing herself. She advanced into the room and headed to the hostess station at the front. Her eyes scanned the room and then she spoke softly to the young woman behind the podium who smiled and began to lead her to his table.

As they moved across the small space he realized that he was staring and so he smiled reassuringly in her direction. A small smile graced her lips in response and feeling far more confident than he had in the hours leading up to this moment, he stood up rapidly to greet her. Fate has a way of making a fool of even the most capable of men and at this moment he could have sworn he heard Fate laugh.

His watch caught on an imperceptible thread in the linen as he rose to his feet and the tablecloth followed him up, pitching his still mostly full glass of merlot straight into his stomach. To his horror, he looked down to admire the bright red stain spread across the bottom of his shirt and, even more embarrassingly, across the crotch of his slacks. His face flamed with color matching the widening spot and his eyes flicked up to catch amusement dancing in her eyes and the sweetest smirk on her lips as she tried desperately to hold back her laughter. It turns out there is something far worse than forgetting her name.

For a moment time slowed as he took in the sparkle in her blue eyes and the small creases at the corners as her smile transformed with her quiet laughter. He felt himself smile helplessly in response. He was vaguely aware of the hostess gesturing to a nearby table where they could move. Disengaging his watch from the table cloth became a far more complex process than he ever could have dreamed possible as his fingers fumbled unsuccessfully to maneuver the tiny thread caught in the teeth of the band. Soft hands grasped his wrist and turned it over to help. As she worked the thread loose, he stared at the swath golden hair that fell across her face as she leaned in and he caught the delicate scent of her perfume. She made quick work of setting him free and, as their eyes met when she looked up and stepped away, he was struck by the notion this was a moment forever burned into his memory. Fate nodded in approval.

In a fog, he walked to the new table with her and pulled out her chair. Conscious of the wet spot on the front of his slacks, he sat quickly and dropped his napkin across his lap. The waiter arrived on cue and he ordered two glasses of merlot with a smirk and far more bravado than he was actually feeling, which was answered with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. It took him a moment to realize she was asking him a question and that he was staring dumbly ahead lost in her presence. Pulling himself back to the moment, he gave her his full attention and spent the rest of the evening wrapped in a perfect bubble where only they existed.

He had never been one for waxing poetic or being overly emotional. Soul mates and falling in love at first sight were fantasies fed to the lost, the lonely, and desperate. He prided himself on being able to navigate the world with logical determination, unaffected by the sentiment that often clouded the judgment of the masses. However, locked in this moment with her, all those lofty notions melted in her warm gaze. His world had been knocked off its axis and he couldn’t help but feel that his center of gravity would forevermore revolve around this lovely creature in front of him.

“Mr. Thompson?”

The soft voice shook the man from his musings and he looked up into the delicate face of his waitress.

“If there isn’t anything else Mr. Thompson, would you like for me to get the check for you? No rush of course.”

“No, your right my dear. Time just got away from me. The check will be fine.”

As she moved away, the man gathered himself and stared at the empty chair across from him with the roses he had placed in her spot at the table. He looked up into the mirror and into a face lined and marked by the heavy hand of time. That night seemed like a lifetime ago. And of course, it was. It was a life filled with love and laughter, children, grandchildren, and even a few great-grandchildren. They had navigated every high and low, side by side, even in the darkest hours of their lives. They came here every year to toast and celebrate the magic of their time together with a glass of merlot, and reminisce about the first date that began a life neither could have ever imagined. They even came here to toast together for the last time after cancer had come and stolen so much of what they had used to enjoy together. She was adamant that it wouldn’t steal this tradition no matter how the sickness ravaged her body.

He recalled the final night they were here together. How he had raised his glass and promised that each anniversary he would come here to honor her and the love they had shared. The light from the small flame in the crystal votive on the table had danced across the linen and he had lost himself in her smile, just as he had done all those years ago. Now, he comes alone on their anniversary and visits the ghost of his beloved wife at this table as he enjoys his wine and sees her just as he did all those long years ago.

Standing slowly and collecting his hat and cane, he moves to the door. Stopping at the hostess podium, he hands her the small leather folder with his bill and a generous tip for the waitress. Thanking her for the meal and service, he continues on his way. As he reaches for the handle, he turns and tips his hat at the young lady at the counter.

“I’ll see you next year, my dear.”

With a smile, he exits as the bell tinkles merrily overhead. Fate smiled and wiped away a tear.