Empty Wine Glass

The ride home was tranquil one could hear the tires of every car on the road. If one can be still enough, they might listen to the individual conversations of the people in the cars beside them. Alisa thought to herself; she was so tired of him getting upset to the point he would not acknowledge her. Alisa felt he did not care about her feelings; the only feelings that matter was his. Alisa always just always listened to how he felt. This time he did not talk. He remained silent; he did not even look at her. Alisha placed her perfectly manicured hand in the middle of the seat between them. He did not reach for her hand, and they enjoyed holding each other's hands while driving home. He just kept his eyes on the road and said nothing. She always tried to ease him by telling a joke to make him laugh. It did not work; he would not say anything, he would get quieter; the only thing they both would hear is their breaths; one can count their breaths. The ride home with him felt like a stab at the heart.

When Alisa had enough, the loneliness she felt in the relationship was terrible. Alisa could not wait to get home, to escape the torture of the car ride home. If only he would see me if he can touch me or something. There was nothing she could do but be still and quiet. She could not wait until they went home; this way, maybe the silence will end. Even if he does not talk when they get home, she will play her music.

Justin just sat in the car in silence; he dislikes the silence more than she did. He wanted to touch her hand; he noticed her hand move towards him; he was not in the mood for this right now. It has been over five years since Alisa, and he had a date. Their daughter would have been five years old today. Alisa had a miscarriage six months pregnant due to some health conditions. They have not spoken much since they take a ride into the country every year around this time. He had a plan to rekindle their relationship, planning her dream first date, which she never had. He was excited to go home; he orders some wine from bright cellars; their neighbors gave them a gift card. He and Alisa never had red wine. It was part of her dream date; he could not wait to surprise her.

When Alisa and Justin arrived home, it was a relief for both. "Justin, I am…. Alisa started to say with tears getting ready to come out of her eyes. She then turned away and went into her bedroom to listen to music; music calmed her. When Justin looked back to find Alisha gone to their room, and he heard the music playing through the closed door. "Finally! I can get started preparing for our first date" Justin said this to himself while walking out towards the back door towards his neighbors' house; to pick up the Bright Cellars wine. He did not want the wine delivered to the home because he did not want her to suspect anything.

"Hey, Joe, you home?" Justin said as he peeked in his neighbor's Joe's door. "Come in, Justin, I am here," Joe said as he went to the door to let Justin in. "Your wine is here from Bright Cellars," Joe says with a smile. Joe went to the other room to get the box of wine from Bright cellars for Justin. Justin saw the brown shipping box; it looked marvelous. "Thanks, Joe; I will invite you over for a glass of wine next weekend," Justin said with a smile. Justin picked up the box and carried it home to his garage. Joe had been their neighbor for years, and he can confide in him on a lot of things, even when Alisha and he lost the baby. "Keep me posted on what happened," Joe yelled at Justin as he left. "I will! Justin stated.

Justin was glad he came through the garage. It made it easier for him to plan the perfect date for Alisa. Justin remembered the fancy Italian restaurant Alisa wanted to go to; he never took her. Now that some of the restaurants are closed to dine in, he wants to bring the restaurant to her. They had Christmas lights in the garage, and other items needed to plan the perfect date. Justin picked out the perfect white Christmas lights and the excellent silverware that was a gift to the couple several years ago. Justin even found a pale-yellow tablecloth that he wanted to place on the table for the date. Justine order food from Alisha's favorite restaurant, that will be deliver to their home; since one cannot dine-in, Justin had the perfect spot outside in their beautiful backyard in their Gazebo; it was Alisa's favorite spot to sit. Justin managed to gather the white Christmas lights and the good silverware and placed them in the little red wagon they had plan to give to their daughter when she became of age.

He had butterflies with a mixture of excitement in his heart. "I hope this will smooth things over," he said to himself. All the items he had from the garage he pulled to the backyard to the Gazebo. Once in the Gazebo, he hangs the white Christmas lights up on the inside, and he plugged them in. When he saw the sight of the light's they were beautiful and calming. There was a table already in the Gazebo and two chairs. Justin took the pale-yellow tablecloth and placed it over the table. He also placed some sheets that had blue and green striped patterns and covered the chairs. The color scheme may be a little off, but hopefully, it will be the perfect date for Alisa. To have her smile and laugh again will be his only reward. After he decorated everything, he set daisies and candles in the middle of the table, Alisa's favorite. Justin went back to the garage to gather more items and to get the wine.

In the Gazebo, Justin opened-up the box that was holding the wine that he ordered. He began to rake out each bottle, and each one he took out was unique, down to the labels and the name of the wine. Jetbird was the first one; it was a Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Whistling Arrow 2018 red blend, Cactus Park Merlot, 2017, Happy Medium Petite, Syrah 2018, and Wandering Giants Merlot 2018. Even though all the wines looked delicious, he had to choose one. "Wandering Giants will be the one we try." He said to himself, smiling.

After Justin finished decorating the Gazebo, he went into the house to wait for the food to arrive. He waited for an hour, and the doorbell rang. Justin orders Alisa's favorite appetizers fresh mozzarella and tomatoes and calamari, caprese salads, the main dishes include Ravioli filled with meat and cheese with marinara sauce and Bolognese lasagna with porcini ricotta filling. Once he received the food, he took it to the Gazebo and plated it. After that, he texted Alisha and told her to come quickly to the Gazebo; he fell and need the first aid kit. She then came running out of the house to the Gazebo with the first kit in her hands.

When she ran up closer to the Gazebo, she saw the lights and the table and chairs decorated, with the food plated. "OH WOW!" so beautiful, what is this?" Alisha asked Justin with excitement. "It is all for you, a surprise date, Alisa?" Justin said, holding her hand. " Thanks, I did not expect this”. she said, kissing him on the cheek. They both sat down in the chairs to begin the date. "Babe, why is there one wine glass?" Alisha asked with confusion. "So, we both can be reunited as one, with this Merlot called Wandering Giants," Justin said, smiling. “Wandering Giants?” Alisa said with a puzzled look on her face. “Yes, dear Wandering Giants describes how we overcame difficulties and triumphs, will continue too. They both put their hands on the stem of the wine glass at the same time and moved in closer to each other, to sip the wine at the same time. They both could taste the sweet-tart cherry flavors with a vibrant acidity. “Good Wine, it hits the spot and heals your soul!” Alisa said with excitement. “Yes, baby I agree, Justin said kissing her hand. They both continue to drink the merlot from the glass until it was empty. Laughing and talking all night with one bottle of wine and one glass.