No Coincidence

I had arranged everything in my home just right. From red candles perfectly placed on the dinner table to the towel folded over the holder in the bathroom, nothing was out of place. I had dotted my eyes and crossed my T’s and after I finished checked them again. A friend had set me up with a friend who was coming over for an evening dinner. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was hoping for the best. A glass of sangria glistened on the mantle as a fire roared, giving off the vigor of a lion. I was a bit nervous because the home I love in at that time was haunted. When I say haunted, I don’t mean doors shutting on their own or self rocking chairs. I’m not talking about floors creaking or the sound of chains down the hall. And maybe I shouldn’t even say haunted, but rather cursed. Yes, that’s what I mean to tell you. The house was definitely cursed. Since I have lived here every date that I have had has been my last. And no, the dates were typically not at my house or ever had been before for that matter. My dates were always out whether at a restaurant or a movie. But, no matter how bad the date went or how well the date went I would never get a call back. And if I called I still will never hear from them again. Before I moved into that house I was very successful with women. I wasn’t one to have a lot of relationships... i’m not saying that at all. Rather, I had a few good lasting relationships. And they at least lasted more than one date. Not since I moved here. So I have the date in the house that was cursed? I had gone to a tarot card reader. She lived out in the country and I had seen her picture and a ad in the local newspaper. She advertised first readings for under $99. I was never superstitious in the past but at this point I was desperate and willing to try anything. I remember driving down a long dark country road to her residence. Her house was Victorian, and an old lamppost lined her narrow driveway. When I approached her door it fell open as if she had a lever that automatically opens the door. She was standing in front of a table behind her tarot cards and I asked her in a soft voice...shaky from nervousness..how did the door open on its own? Why I just pulled this lever over here she replied smiling while pointing out a contraption on the wall. Let’s get down to business she said and sat down in a fuzzy chair behind cards with strange pictures of stars and waterfalls. As I drove away her voice echoed in my head. To break the curse she said you must invite a woman to your house and get her to drink a glass of Merlot. Being a very forgetful person I had mistakenly purchased a glass of Sangria, which was sitting on the mantle. And when the doorbell rang the Tarot card readers voice returned to me saying...you must get her to drink a bottle of Merlot to break the curse. I felt sick thinking of my stupid mistake. As I walked to the door my head was down and I could do nothing but gaze at the floorboards. I would never find someone. I would always be alone. Nobody will ever love me. These thoughts swirled and perpetuated as I opened the door. I was about to tell my date that I wasn’t feeling well and that she should just go home. It was then the terret card readers voice once again echoed in my head. But this time the words were different. You don’t listen very well do you The Voice said. Fortunately for you I can see the future and I brought a bottle of Merlot. Now get a glass and let’s put this curse to rest you handsome devil. Slowly I raise my head to meet her eyes. She smiles in a way that I know she is pleased with herself, but also knows something wonderful that she’s not telling me. It was only after 30+ years of marriage that I now know what is. True love.