Table for one

Table for one by Michael Gregg

I light the stove and prepare my ingredients, tonight is a special night one that I hope she will like as I plan to prepare her dinner for tonight as this valentines I want to do something different something romantic. My hands grip the knife gently as I begin to cut away at the vegetables to make fresh pesto for the chicken and pesto dish I want to surprise her with, I smile to myself as I can only imagine the look on her face as I picture a beautiful smile on her face as she hugs me gently for preparing such a simple but heartwarming meal. The water begins to boil and I break the noodles and toss them in with a pinch of salt as I stir them gently, next I chop up the chicken into bits and let it cook in a well-oiled pan that I prepared ahead of time. I listen gently as the chicken begins to cook the sound of it sizzling reminding me the many times my mom has taught me how to cook my very first meals. I quickly check my fridge to remind myself that a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc waits and chills as my mother recommended it that it would make an excellent pairing for the meal that I was creating for her.

The timer beeps and I take the pasta out of the pot that it was cooking give it a dash of oil so the noodles don't stick and take the chicken out so it does not burn. I return to my freshly made pesto and add it all together and low and behold the meal is ready and I just in time as I check the clock. The time reads four-thirty P.M. she will be arriving at six which gives me enough time to set the table and light the candles. I pull out a nice red velvet tablecloth as I set the table with plates and silverware. I place a red candle at the center of the table and light it gently as the flames come to life casting a soft glow across the room as I turn down the lights just little to help set the mood just right. Then I wait patiently for her arrival.

And wait .....

And wait .....

And wait some more....

I check my clock to see the time is almost seven o'clock surely she would have been here by now right? No matter she must be stuck in traffic. I return to my seat and wait

And wait.....

And wait.....

And wait some more.....

The food is gone now as I put the last scrap of chicken and pasta into my mouth as my hunger finally takes over I open the bottle of Blanc and begin to pour a glass for her and myself as I move her food to the microwave so that she may enjoy it later. I raise a glass to toast to our love as I drink the white wine down gently. I hold on to my faith that she will come soon I just have to wait a little longer.

So I give a toast to my mother.......

A toast to my family ......

A toast to myself......

A toast to a long life and good health .....

A toast for a..... I pause there as I set the glass down as I notice half of it gone as I set there in silence as I turn to look at the candle as the small stub continues to produce a small light as the room continues to darken as the night drags on. The time is now ten thirty P.M. and I ask myself where did I go wrong? Did I offend her some way? Was I too forward with my proposal? Was it too much? She said yes as I remember the dazzle in her eyes as she smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh my goodness! Yes, I would love to be your Valentine "she said with a cute little wink and bright smile. "So what will we be doing? "She says with curiosity as thousands of thoughts flood her mind on what I could possibly doing. "It's a surprise sweetheart swing by my place after work and I shall set a table for two, "I say with a smile on my face as she leans in to kiss me on the cheek and tells me she will be done with work at six and I tell her I will see her then.

But know I sit here alone and with my thoughts as my phone begins to vibrate and I look to it with a glimpse of hope. As I see that it's a Facebook status update I look it over and with great sorrow come to find the words that break one's heart. " In a relationship with...." as I see the tags, post, and all as people tell her how cute a couple they are as I sit tears streaming down my face as the candle in the room finally goes out. The room now completely dark as it hides the occupant in the room sitting at the table for one.