It Takes a Thief

The year of masks and social distancing made Maggie long for the touch of another living being. It had been so long since she found anyone she wanted to even have a Zoom date with, but here she is making dinner for someone she just met last weekend. At her home no less!

Maggie surveyed the table. A flower pail containing yellow and Peach Blossom tulips accented with purple iris sat in the middle of the table between two purple tapers in glass candlesticks, all on a white runner. In front of each chair was a place setting of her grandmother’s wedding china.

The oven dinged signaling it had preheated. She popped the pan containing a foil wrapped lemon/rosemary salmon and another foil with asparagus, olive oil and Parmesan cheese into the oven and set the timer. She would have liked a bake potato, but she traded those carbs for dessert. It’s only the first date.

She checked her reflection in the mirror on the wall and saw Denver take a seat on the couch in the living room. Deciding her hair was fine, she picked up her glass of wine and joined him on the couch. Slow rock music played softly from unnoticed speakers.

She smiled and held up her glass, “You don’t know what you’re missing, this Merlot is fabulous! It’s plummy and chocolate-y and vanilla-y all at once. Speaking of chocolate and vanilla, I have ice cream for dessert. I love a glass of wine with my ice cream, I hope you don’t think that’s strange. I also stir my ice cream until it’s soup. Most people find that maddening.”

She sipped from her glass and set it on the coffee table. “What was that silly movie that so maligned Merlot? Upside Down? Inside Out? They didn’t know what they were talking about. You can always count on Merlot for bold flavor. Not like a persnickety Pinot Noir. I like a good Cabernet every now and then and I love a Cab/Merlot blend, but I really don’t care for white wine.”

“I've been babbling and forgot, I put together a small deli plate for an appetizer, would you like me to bring it out? Dinner won’t be long.”

Denver gave her a look that said, “You had me at deli,” and Maggie retrieved the plate from the refrigerator and placed it on the coffee table. She held up a piece of pepperoni in front of Denver, who took it as if he hadn’t eaten in days. She laughed and followed with a piece of cheese, which Denver ate with the same enthusiasm. Maggie agreed, the pepperoni was primo!

She reached over and adjusted his tie, “Your navy and lavender striped bow tie is smashing! It literally screams spring. And that guy liner, most men aren’t confident enough to accent their eyes. You‘ve had your beard trimmed. It makes you look incredibly wise.” She gently flicked her fingers through his beard and he playfully swatted her hand away.

Harvest Moon with Neil Young’s raspy voice wafted from the hidden speakers. Maggie looked shyly at Denver, “I think this is about the most romantic song ever.”

Denver stood up and looked at Maggie expectantly. She stood and he put his hands in hers. Then, with bodies not touching, they did an odd little box step for the next few minutes.

“I’m so glad you introduced yourself to me at the Saving Grace picnic. I must confess, I had seen your picture, but it didn’t do you justice. Your beautiful tawny blonde hair. And those topaz eyes, even framed with the Andy Rooney brows, are so incredibly beautiful and all-knowing. I fell into them the first time I looked.” Maggie reached over and tried to tame an eyebrow with her thumb and smiled, “What secrets are you hiding behind those topaz eyes?”

At that moment the oven timer chimed. Maggie laughed. “Saved by the bell.” She grabbed her wine and went into the kitchen. Denver followed her and she told him to sit anywhere. She turned off the oven and pulled out the pan then loosened the foil containing the salmon so the steam could escape before she completely opened it. She cut it into servings and it flaked beautifully. She dished out the servings, lit the candles, and topped off her Merlot. Denver preferred water.

“I know you’re supposed to serve white wine with fish, but I think red wine tastes just fine with salmon. I believe I heard somewhere that the proper wine to serve with any meal is simply the wine you like.”

It didn’t take long to finish eating. Maggie could tell Denver enjoyed his meal because he ate every bit of it with gusto. Maggie suggested an after dinner walk around the neighborhood, “Why don’t you take a look around the backyard while I clean up? The dogwoods and azaleas are blooming. It won’t take me five minutes. It is such a beautiful spring evening.”

It was dark when they returned from their walk. They had seen most everyone on the block and they all introduced themselves to Denver, who comported himself perfectly. Maggie beamed with pride as he impressed everyone they met. A couple of the older ladies gave Maggie nearly imperceptible nods of approval as they tore themselves away from Denver’s charm.

“Make yourself at home and think about what movie you want to watch. I’m going to slip into something a little more comfortable. I bet you didn’t know you were going to get a fashion show tonight.”

Denver waited a few beats and followed Maggie down the hall to her bedroom. She was in the closet or maybe the bath, but she was out of sight. Denver snatched something from the room and hurried back to the living room. Maggie returned a few minutes later and exploded with laughter.

“My goodness, Denver what in the world are you doing with my sock? My dirty sock?”

Denver ignored Maggie and continued to toss her sock around and catch it in his mouth. He missed and dropped down to the ground and shimmied around on his back, up and down and all over the dirty sock, grunting and groaning loudly as he did. He stood up and shook it off, his tail wagging in circles. He did a downward dog with his long front legs splayed in the universal canine signal to play and looked at Maggie.

Maggie cackled and howled until tears ran down her face. She pulled a tissue from the pocket of her robe, wiped her eyes and blew her nose until she snorted. That sent her into another spasm of laughter. She looked at Denver and when she finally caught her breath and could speak beyond monosyllabic hoots, addressed her newly adopted rescue dog.

“Little Dude, you have anointed yourself in the smelly sweat of my dirty socks. I have to say, this is a first.” Mirth threatened to overwhelm her again and she tried to compose herself.

“You’re the best date ever. You listen to me babble. You don't whine, only delightful groans here and there. And oh boy, did you make me laugh. Why don’t you take another stroll around the backyard while I get us some ice cream. Yes, you get a little taste of vanilla and I get another glass of vino. Then we’ll curl up on the couch and watch Casablanca, because I have a feeling this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”