Spark

My eyes kept finding their way back to my phone to check the time as I roamed through the mall while waiting for my date. This would not be an ordinary date people are accustomed to experiencing. Despite what seemed like disapproval suffocating me from every direction from my friends and family, I had decided to try the new way to meet someone through a company called Spark. I hadn’t told a soul about my date today. The focus of Spark is on learning about the chemistry and energy exchange between two people rather than beginning dating with physical attraction through seeing each other with each other’s eyes. At Spark, two people are matched based on interests and given time to chat anonymously online before choosing to meet at one of Spark's dating centers. Once a date is set at a dating center, the two are sent to a room monitored by video surveillance for safety reasons but not audio surveillance so there is some form of privacy and the catch is they agree to be blindfolded and not allowed to remove the blindfolds during the date.

As I checked my phone again, it was now fifteen minutes until my date. I headed toward the entrance to Spark in the mall, suddenly aware of every breath I took. The sign over the door could be seen clearly from far away. It was electronic, cursive, and shined in red.

I entered and walked up to the receptionist to check in. He was dressed in a nice suit and had a clean cut hair style. His dreamy handsome look made you believe in fairy tales. He greeted me kindly and led the way to my room for the date. The walls were deep burgundy and the floor was creamy. The light was dim and a fire in the fireplace along with a giant bouquet of roses placed on both sides of it on wooden stands welcomed people as they arrived. Once at the date room, another staff member placed the blindfold on me. She told me my date had already arrived and was happily waiting inside. She was dressed in a sleek black dress that embraced her. Her eyes shined like diamonds in the low light and her hair had so much gorgeous volume I felt like I was suddenly in a forest of thick green luscious trees that blocked out most of the sun. We entered and she guided me to my seat beside my date. As she turned to leave, I suddenly felt more awake than I thought possible. A soft, calm voice on the intercom stated we could begin.

“Hi, I’ve been eager for this moment. My name is Zane.” Her voice lingered in my heart like an echo following along with my heartbeats.

I had to give it a moment before I could respond. “Hello, I’m Ivory. I’ve been really excited for this moment to come.” My voice was low and shy and I hoped it wasn’t going to hide how interested I was in learning more about her.

Although we weren’t touching, I began to notice a sensation drawing me in. I felt like she was familiar in some way. I could tell from her voice that she was a calm soul. I felt like we had arrived at a beach and every worry was erased.

“Darling, are you alright?” Zane asked softly.

I blinked and the memory of when we met made me turn to her and smile as we sat side by side watching the sunset in front of the entrance to our private beach home. It was this memory that had made us want to spend the rest of our lives living on a private beach. It also helps us escape the constant stream of ridicule from those that continue to believe we won’t last as a couple. Spark is ahead of its time in a way. It’s just beginning and so many people are too selfish to see the true beauty and compassion within its mission. The sun was almost down and its smooth streaks of oranges and golds draped over the entire sky in front of us.

My skin turned into water as her fingers began to caress the top of my arm gently. Her touch made soft ripples drift out over me along the path her fingers had followed. I felt her dip below the surface everywhere she went. I imagine my skin ran smooth against her hand like a gentle stream because of the glimmer in her eye resembling rapids shimmering under the fading sun.

I leaned forward to reach for my glass of merlot we had poured from our latest bottle that had arrived from our wine subscription with Bright Cellars. Zane did the same. We always spend the evening watching the sunset upon the arrival of each new bottle. We like the suspense and anticipation of waiting to taste a new wine. It always takes us back to the feeling we had while waiting to meet at Spark.

As I look at her, Zane reminds me of the moon in her soft white button down short sleeve shirt that is loosely kissing her skin. These are the moments I look forward to and yet they always catch me off guard.

We sit here, lost in each other as we drink the wine. This one is as easy to drink as loving each other. We both long for each other but keep savoring each moment. I begin to think about how I live for the feeling love gives me, the feeling that every moment is a beginning, the feeling of knowing what eternity feels like.