literature
Whether written centuries ago or just last year, literary couples show that love is timeless.
Just one drink
My headache couldn’t have come at a worse time. “Headache?” I thought, more like an aneurysm ready to burst. I chuckled briefly thinking about my late night searches on WebMD. A few weeks ago I didn’t know what a brain aneurysm was and now, well I was practically an expert on how every ache and pain could be my demise. “Brain aneurysm “ I mumbled under my breath as I scanned my closet looking for a tie. Not just any tie, but the right tie. I grabbed my phone, hoping that I had more time. 545pm. Only 5 minutes had passed since I last checked. I’m supposed to meet her at 630, but I have a thing about being early for dates. Even saying the word in my head brought anxiety. I hadn’t been on a date in years. Not a real date anyway. Tinder doesn’t count you see. I really liked this woman and I want her to like me. So much so that instead of the usual local bar I had brought so many any dates on, I decided to bring her to my favorite restaurant. The Endcut. Great food, but horrible advertising and an even worse location. But the owners were an honest migrant family who worked hard and their old style service was just what I needed. Plus it was quiet. I didn’t want to yell over barbacks and college students singing to songs that were billboard hits before they were even born. “Quiet”. Perfect place to talk, as I went over the opening conversation in my head, I grabbed a silk red tie and headed out. 606pm. I only had a four block walk to The Endcut. As its name suggested, they were famous for their steaks. When I mentioned the restaurant to her, she seemed indifferent at first, but slowly warmed up to the idea of dry aged beef. I had to explain that aged didn’t mean rotten, and luckily was able to browse through Instagram to show her some pictures. She said she would walk as well, but didn’t say how far her trip was. No matter. As I arrived I scanned the dining area through the large plate glass windows. “Empty “. 636pm. The owner of The Endcut, Joel, seated me at my usual table farthest from the door. I liked the corner. It was cozy and since I was usually alone, it was perfect for people watching through the glass. “Are you dining alone”? Joel asked, in a thick Hungarian accent. “Not tonight Joel” I responded. “First date, so I’d like something special”. “I’ve got just the thing” he smiled as he hurried back into the kitchen. One of the servers came out with warm bread followed by Joel proudly holding a dusty dark glass bottle of wine. I glanced at the dust disapprovingly, but Joel quickly stated. “This is a special vintage for special occasions “. I could tell he was proud of the bottle, and I was curious, so I asked him to elaborate. He went on to tell me that this Merlot, was from his own personal vintage. He called it the wine of love and said that it would pair perfectly with any girls f the meat selections on the menu. He also alluded to its aphrodisiac properties and blushed as he winked and opened the bottle to breathe. “Brain aneurysm and homemade wine” I thought as the smell of the Merlot wafted into my nostrils. At the very least, the wine would make conversation fluid. I poured myself a glass and looked at my phone. 737pm. Joel had been pacing back and forth as I poured the last glass from the bottle. “Maybe she got in a car accident”? He said as he cleared the uneaten bread from my table. “Maybe” I said half-jokingly. Although the thought did indeed cross my mind. I slowly came to the realization that I had been stood up. I wasn’t so much upset as I was relieved. At least now I wouldn’t have to stumble over my words trying to make conversation. I tried to make more excuses to justify her absence. But I always came to the same conclusion. She probably just didn’t want to say no. I groaned at the thought. I gulped down the remaining Merlot and stood to use the restroom. Then I heard the from door open. Before I could turn I felt a hug. A BIG hug. I was being lifted off my feet! As I was put down I turned and saw it was her. I smiled sheepishly, embarrassed that she had picked me up, but it quickly faded. “Hi”! She bubbled. “I’m starving”! She sat at the table and Joel immediately summoned the waiter for bread, grinning from ear to ear. He was as relieved as I was. I sat down and before I could say a word she began talking. The words just flowed from her lips and although I listened engagingly, I couldn’t remember what she was saying. I just sat and smiled in awe. Finally she reached out her hand across the table and I prepared for her touch. She wiped my brow gently “Hot in here, huh”? I was sweating. I blamed the wine but I knew it was her. Just being in such close proximity to her my body temperature elevated to almost a fever. Joel then came out of the kitchen with another bottle of his special Merlot. She glanced at it and then her phone. 959pm. She gave me a crooked smile and as I looked at Joel I noticed he was smiling too. But not his usual grin. It was different, almost sinister. I felt sweat dripping down the small of my back. The waiters had all left and the lights had dimmed. “Joel, are you closing”? I asked. But he did not answer. He just stood and smiled. His grin growing bigger. I looked at her and she smiled wider. Her grin no longer crooked, but perfect. Perfect red lips. Perfect white teeth. Sharp white teeth. Before I could even move she lunged across the table. “Shhhhh” she whispered in my ear. “Not time to go just yet”. I knew she was strong, but as she held me down I felt paralyzed. Joel still grinning and standing there. As I look up at him in confusion I noticed the bottle of Merlot. It was empty. As I turned to look back at her her perfect mouth was opened wide. Rows of perfectly white, perfectly sharp teeth on full display. She looked upon me one last time before she bit down. Then I remembered what she said. The only thing I could remember that she said. When I asked her out on a date. A real date. “Sure,” she said. “Just one drink”.
By Bobby Steele5 years ago in Humans
She Has Risen
There I was, surrounded by the chaos I had created; or rather the chaos that he had created, accelerated in the moment by the venomous words I was spewing at rapid fire. I continued with the guidance of a hidden, yet familiar voice. The voice within was snowballing with confidence, growing louder, and taking on a new, rather pleased tone. Was I smiling?
By Rich Ledoux5 years ago in Humans
A Date With a Princess
Nathan stood there on the doorstep, fidgeting. He twisted and rolled the end of his striped, navy tie, he picked at a stray thread on his jacket cuff, and he felt a bead of sweat begin its journey down from his brow. He was so timorous, so nervous for their first date, yet he couldn’t really say why.
By Stephanie Nielsen5 years ago in Humans
The Girl In the Piano Room
The girl tentatively tiptoed into the hallowed room. Even her breathing echoed around her ears. The room was painted a soft dove grey, the floor full of shiny tiles. There was a single window, large in size, with five panes, four at the bottom shaped like rectangles and one lone semi-circle at the top; it let in a pretty stream of light, revealing a grand piano.
By babiespaceee5 years ago in Humans
A day in a life
Dear Lewis, my love I wake up. Usually from the sound of a baton echoing through the the door. the sound bounces off the corners of this room. I can almost feel it just on the end of my bed. The room isn't that grand or anything. No! I mean, it's great, sorry. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. You've done so much for me, and I couldn't be more grateful. Thank you. And love you!
By MadmanMovieRambles5 years ago in Humans
The Winemaker of Deuxreines
I watch them every morning, the line of men walking past my farm. Each man carries a thin box. Some have small boxes they can carry in the palm of their hands, others need two hands to carry theirs and every now and then a donkey will accompany one of the men whose box is too large to carry himself. The donkey men are my favourite - so proud of themselves! Sometimes the men with the tiny boxes lose their nerve at this stage; they look at their own little box, and then to the donkey man’s box and back to theirs. Surmising that all hope is lost, they dash their box on the ground, relinquish their place in line and skulk off the way they came. I used to go out and collect these discarded little parcels. I’d bring them back to my kitchen table and open them as I pushed a hot jam and buttered croissant into my mouth. I always hoped I’d be surprised but I never was, so I stopped gathering them after a while. Always the same. An oil painting of the fields of Deuxreines. Most had cornflower blue skies, some were indigo and moonlit, others in the snow; pretty enough and they’d certainly look well above a fireplace but they would not do for our queen.
By Kate Holderness5 years ago in Humans
The Poetry of Wine
“Let’s give a warm welcome to Matthew Bridges.” As the moderator handed off the microphone, Sarah scrambled behind a display of Bordeaux bottles. “Unbelievable. What is he doing here?” Her mouth agape, she clutched the lip of an oak barrel, hiding.
By Katurah C Rogers5 years ago in Humans
Shattered: Part 1
Amia sat at the kitchen table, staring at the glass across from her. It was empty and seemingly unimportant, but to her it was the most precious thing in the room. It hadn't been long ago that at this time of day, as the morning sun rose, that glass was full of iced coffee, Columbian roast with a dash of milk and no sugar. Yet this morning, it sat empty, as it had for 3 days that to her felt like an eternity. The whole house felt empty. Without Richard there, there was no liveliness. He had always been the fun one, whereas she was the quiet one. It had been that way since the day they met....
By Deni Alice 5 years ago in Humans
Ocean Blues
I should've let the phone go to voice-mail. But I figured I could answer the question from the individual on the line and head to Penn Station with enough time to catch my train home. What I didn't expect was the game of phone tag between my boss, the marketing lady on the phone, and myself to take so long.
By Cassandra Zepeda 5 years ago in Humans
The Moonflower
She let her thoughts flow freely, instead of trying to control them. Same with her emotions. She was left alone again after letting her guard down but strangely enough, the storm inside of her was calm. But her sadness made it storm around her. She couldn’t cry so the sky did for her.
By Chandelle Spear5 years ago in Humans
