Merlot Wine in the Moonlight

I have been invited to my Aunt's dinner party. She hosts one every year in the spring, “the best time of the year” as she claims. Bringing in the entire family and a few friends as an intent to fix some of the problems we so obviously face. I despise this time each year as it does nothing but create more fuss onto all the elders, who then begin lashing out at me and my cousins. I know Aunt means well but she continues to stretch these parties, I suppose in hope that the next year might be different. This year she set a theme called ‘be classy’, I’m not sure whether to laugh or take some offense to it. It feels like she’s setting out a deeper message to this year's theme, and saying to watch our tempers. Afterall I have overheard some of the family members say we're an ungraceful bunch. All in all, this party will happen and all I can do is to sit and watch as the night unveils.

It's 7:00pm on the dot, and I have arrived at my Aunt's location. She recently moved to a new home outside of the city. It's quiet out, all you can really hear is some birds whistling their little tunes and the leaves bristling in the soft cool breeze. The house looks delightful, it’s bigger than the last. Before walking towards the door I take some of the last peaceful breaths of my night, preparing myself for the mess I’m going to have to bear witness to. I whisper 'it will be over before I know it'… my face tightening as I realize I don’t believe that one bit. The sound of the door rings, and I begin hearing loud thumps come closer and closer until the door swings open,

“Celeste you’re here just as promised, I’m thrilled!” My Aunt exclaims.

I force a smile and give my Aunt a hug,

“The house is beautiful, I’ve been looking forward to tonight all week” I comment.

This house is in fact very beautiful, it seems so cozy and welcoming. I feel greeted by the smell of sauteed fizzling goodness.. It must be my Aunt's famous steak and asparagus. The food here is always something I can count on at her house, it will soothe me, maybe even distract me from the unsettling conversations that will spill across the dinner table. I begin walking closer to the living room to greet everyone else here and I’m soon surprised to see Taylor, who was one of my cousins closest friends. He looks even more charming than I remembered.. Great, I should have worn something more pleasing.. In any case I believe he has a wife by now.. Julie was it?

I’m going to stay away for now, I would imagine there’s not much need to catch up since my family must have overshared by now. I turn away and lock eyes with my Grandparents and Uncles, they're about to say something,

“Celeste come here, we were just talking about you”.

Talking about me? This doesn’t sound right..

“Hi haha.. What about?” I ask as my eyebrow lifts in curiosity.

“We heard you quit your job, now why do such a thing!”

I let out a sigh, not this crap again, I laughed it off and told them I was quickly gunna use the bathroom and would happily answer that question when I returned- this was a lie as to get away. None of my cousins are even here.. I needed their support, if not them then I'll turn to the drinks. My Aunt earlier said it was a wine type of night, and at tonight's party we get to choose from a selection of various wines. I suppose it’s to make the party more exciting, which I can definitely see having potential, so until my cousins arrive I’m going to let myself get lost in tasting all the wines. The elders will most likely give looks and whisper to each other about the behavior I may be displacing but in any case tasting all the wines sounds like a great idea to me.

I’m tipsy, and I can feel the warmth of the wines reach my face, hugging my cheeks with a tint of a rosy blush. I begin to giggle as I realize I'm practically the only young member attending this dinner party, perhaps I should just leave and call an uber. As I stumble up onto my feet and make my way to the door, I hear a voice call out to me.

“Celeste, already leaving us?”-

Its Taylor, either my vision has become to glossy or he really is more handsome than ever,

“Oh Taylor I didn’t even know you were here, Hi sorry I was..”

Dammit I can feel my face start to flush.. He’s eyeing me and it surprises me. My heart skips a beat, and I feel almost awkward now.

“Come Celeste I want to show you something” he notions.

I’m trying to think of what that could possibly be, worry glooming over my face.

“Don’t worry you’ll think it's great, it’s away from all these people.. Trust me I’ve been dying all night too.” - Taylor points out.

I let out a laugh ‘alright’ I tell him and we begin heading upstairs,

“If you’re taking me to a room to do some funny business I suggest you stop right there, because that ‘ain't happening” I nervously jitter.

“Don’t be silly, I’m not a dog, and plus we’ve known each other for a long time, I respect the hell out of you” - T.

My eyes raise, respect… that’s interesting but I like the sound of that, I shake my head and let out a chuckle. We pass the rooms and make it to the last staircase, this house is definitely bigger than the last there are like four floors. As we make it up the final step he leans towards the door and gives me a friendly smile. The door opens to the rooftop of the house and I am instantly captivated.

“Wow, this is quite heavenly” I claim.

He nods and notions me to sit with him on the floor. There's a mat laying on the floor and a bottle standing on top of it.

“I came up here alone when your Grandparents started asking me questions about my job, it kind of sounded more like criticism than questions,” Taylor says.

“Oh I’m so sorry, if it makes you feel any better they were asking me questions too” I giggled back.

“Anyways I grabbed a bottle of wine and came up here to unnerve myself and remembered I caught a glimpse of you when you walked in earlier, thought we could give each other company” - Taylor

Taylor saw me, I feel bad now. Hopefully he didn’t notice me stare at him earlier when I walked in, otherwise he too would think I’m unmannered. He hands me a glass and gestures to pour a bit of wine. I nod and smile and watch as the wine fills my glass with it’s spirited red hue. Giving it a little shake, I then raise the glass to my nose and breathe in the sharp aromas. Taking a sip and tasting a bitter tang of cherries and plum.

It’s Merlot wine, the perfect match to my ingested steak. It’s fruity but gentle, and as I take another sip I can feel the warmth of my body elevate. We're laughing about old memories and cracking up jokes. The sky darkens and is speckled by stars, and from the distant the crescent moon shimmers its brilliant light. Everything feels so peaceful and right. We're both lying down, taking in the beauty of the night, but I then think to ask about his wife Julie. He lets out a sigh and explains they broke it off years ago. It didn’t feel right to them. Then smiles as if to assure me he’s ok with it. His smile has always been so soothing, it was a feature I’ve always admired. It makes me feel calm and safe, so I trust his assurance and huddle closer to him, and rest my head by his shoulder. “There, There” I say as I pat him on the head, in an attempt to lighten the mood. It works. We laughed it off, afterwards wrapping his arm around me pulling me in closer.

Perhaps it's the wine and the starry sky but it feels good to be with him, I haven’t felt this pleased with anyone before. All my worries whither away as time passes in his arms and I’m in complete zen as I rest my eyes and breathe in his woody scent. It is like nutmeg bundled up in the smoky accent of vanilla. Nevertheless, this precious moment seems to come to an end when I begin to hear loud thumps coming from within the house. It’s my Aunt, who then steps outside and tells us the evening is coming to an end. We tell her we're right behind her and gather our things.

“This was nice,” Taylor notes.

I agree it made my night, I’m locked onto his eyes, drinking in his warm glow, he’s looking back at me and begins to play with my hair, pushing my locks behind my ears.

“You are beautiful Celeste” Taylor declares.

Then gives me a peck on my forehead. I'm filled with delight, we walk back into the house and give each other our last few hugs and promise to get together again.

Despite having some Grandparents give looks and having my cousins being M.I.A, this evening didn’t turn out as bad as I expected. It turned out my Aunt wanted Taylor to come just because she was going to try and set him up with someone here and although I would have barked up a storm if hearing about this beforehand, I am relieved. He made this night worth it, and as my Aunt had hoped, this dinner party was different from the others. As moments with Taylor begin to flash back to me, I begin to cherish the cozy feelings that Merlot wine brings. Now endlessly loving the taste of cherries and plum and hues of dark red as it is accompanied by the sensations of pure bliss.