Oh, the Merlot!

  Here we are, another day gone amongst the chaos. The 'Clock Out' button nearly threw itself at me. My laptop made an indigant noise as it shut down, perhaps it will miss me this weekend.

    I rolled my chair back slowly, savoring the quiet as I looked to the window behind the desk. The sun peeked through the clouds, subtly kissing the ground with its warmth. Two deer ambled along, sniffing pine trees towards the edge of the yard. Their hooves sunk into the grass slightly, the remnants of a rainy day prior. "Looks like a fun time." I mused.

    I stood, relieved that the weekly grind granted a two day reprieve. My darling cat, Grey, peered from the ball of fluff he'd made of himself snoozing. A glorious amalgamation of silver and copper splayed across his fur as the sun granted my office its light. "There's a sleepy meow." I cooed. Grey blinked slowly, a yawn blossoming as he made a friendly chirp. I nodded to him as I wheeled my chair under the desk. Don't need to be tripping over anything when my own two feet do the job themselves.

    I left my office, meandering down the hallway until I reached the kitchen. I eyed the cupboard briefly; hunger was not at the forefront of my mind.

    It had been one hell of a week. Being off on Easter Monday when the client isn't? Lots to catch up on, lots of calls. My brain felt thoroughly scrambled. Burnout seemed around the corner. Dramatic, but sometimes you can't help how you feel.

    The pandemic didn't really affect my social life. I spend a lot of time on my own. But have I ever, truly, taken real time for myself?

    I drifted towards the dining room, wondering what to do on this fine Friday evening. I could conceivably ring a friend, perhaps even one of those "Zoom dates". I hesitated however. This small part of me said, "What about you? When have you really sat down with yourself?"

    A wry smiled found my lips. Maybe today could be... an experiment of sorts.

    "You know what? Today is the day I know ME." I proclaimed. My voice drifted slightly, doubt peppering my words. "I don't even know where to start."

    My gaze wandered to the liquor cabinet in the corner of the dining room. A sturdy piece, home to mostly vodka and whiskey. On the second shelf held a few wines, mainly gifts from holidays past. One in particular, a gift from my father last Christmas. With a shrug I grabbed it. A beautiful bottle, opaque with a vivid yellow sun and label. "Mirassou Merlot...2018." I palmed the bottle, peering at the top to determine if I needed a corkscrew. Oh, indeed I did.

    I set the Merlot on the dinner table, complete with wine glass. What's a date without wine? I grimaced at the thought of classifying my intended self-party as such. Though... a part of me shoved away the cringe. When you date someone, you're getting to know them, right? I'm just gonna get to know me. Just a couple hours of... well I hadn't figured that out yet. Ha.

    Back in the kitchen, I found a corkscrew in the junk drawer. Found an old pizza cutter too; go figure, I caved and ordered a new one three days ago.

    On the counter by the junk mail sat a small, floppy notebook. One of the fifty laying about my home, maybe six pages used. I eyed it skeptically, ultimately grabbing it before heading back to the wine. Much to my pleasure a pen was tucked aside the book, no second trips here!

    After gathering this little ensemble I opened the back door, stepping through the balmy breeze that greeted me. The foliage of the yard beamed with hues of brilliant vermillion. The air carried the songs of birds and bees (and in my silliness the thought made me giggle).

    I took in the smell- ah, the scent of springs newly cut grass... the tug of a memory: traipsing through LaDew Gardens as a child, awed at the array of color splayed along expertly manicured irises. I had neglected to take an allergy pill that day and was quite sniffly, but it did not hinder the pleasure I took in that visit. I smiled fondly, reminiscing as I made my way to the patio.

    My steps made a pitter-patter along the paved stones. One of our resident chipmunks, affectionately named Nugget, ran through the hastas as I made it to one of the patio chairs. He occasionally takes a peanut from me; I would argue that we are good buddies.

    It wasn't long before my furry friend went his own way. With a wave I sat down, intent on getting that Merlot uncorked. The struggle was quite real! But the tell tale "pop" of the cork coming out was a welcome sound.

    I brought the cork to my nose, inhaling the aroma before me. Such a delightful fruitiness.

    In that moment, it was like something clicked. My hands found themselves readying a drink. Liquid lush as velvet teased the sides of my glass as I poured. I felt a smile as I swirled the wine about before tipping the glass to my mouth.

    Leaning back in the chair I pondered the taste that graced my tongue. In doing so I felt the urge to write, something that has been but a ghost as my life has progressed. My fingers ran across the notebook, as if reacquainted with an old friend.

    Pen to hand I wrote of the flavor that shocked me into this blissful fervor. Deep cherry, bold blackberry. Chocolate, dry and decadent. The tart cling of them all, dancing together in such beauty.

     I could feel tears, not of sorrow but as if I was sitting there with an old friend. As if nothing had changed. It was solace, in the most wonderful way.

    Another sip as I looked around the yard, taking in the chatter of nature. This to me, was a date most unexpected... and always welcome.