Regel's date with Signe

[Regel]

Preparations for Signe’s visit began early that morning. Regel was off and running at seven. The market was bustling that morning and he quickly bought the ingredients he needed and then left. He then made a quick visit to Vintages to stock up on some wine. He was making cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and mozzarella cheese, a favorite of his that he would be using as the main course. Cooking was always something he had enjoyed doing ever since he was a youngster. He would be drawn into the kitchen by wonderful smells of sautéed onions pull up a chair and watch his own mother prepare the meals that she would serve to the rest of the family. Regel would learn that recipes were not etched in stone. Often out of necessity changes and alternatives were required to pull a favorite dish together. The one ingredient she was never out of was love. The secret ingredient she told him that always made the food taste better.

He set to work on the preparations for the meal. Chopping onions and garlic as well and a few celery sticks he quickly prepared the tomato sauce that would need several hours to cook. After he stuffed the cannelloni shells he thought about the young woman he had met several years ago. She had always been a beautiful young lady but in recent years she had really blossomed into a beautiful woman. Raven black hair and alabaster skin was the frame for piecing brown eyes and generous smile. “Chocolate” Regel said out loud. He ran out to the local bakery and purchased a chocolate cheesecake that the owner assured Regel “…was to die for.” Regel knew if he had any he likely would.

 

Two bottles chilled in the cooler a Niagara Riesling and an Australian Shiraz. He inherited that appreciation of wine from his father. Only the salad needed his attention, the rest of his preparation was nearly complete. Simple white cloth and china plate were set on the table, each setting flanked by silverware and wine glasses and in the center an arrangement of spring flowers. In direct contrast to the bleak December day Regel was viewing out his window.

 

The music Regel was playing was dating him. Older classics from the golden age of Motown and Regel smiled with the recognition of an old favorite then joined in with his own voice

“Better you wondered how I knew

'Bout your plans to make me blue”

The music always reached him and he slowly bopped his way over to the kitchen and quickly made the salad and before the last line was sung of

“Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine

Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine

Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine”

 

He had finished.

[Regel]

He had given his driver strict instuctions. "Try and get her here by seven pm. If it looks like your going to be late phone me." The driver had nodded and left to pick Signe up about forty minutes earlier. Allowing for traffic and the usual delays they should be arriving shortly. Seven pm came and went and Regel's nerves were starting to get the better of him. The oven was lowered and additional sauce was applied over the cannelloni and then returned. "Relax" he told himself "everything will be perfect." He decided the red wine he had left open had breathed enough. He poured himself a glass and took a sip. The door bell chimmed. "She's here!" he dropped his glass off on the kitchen counter and walked to the door. Regel took a deep breath and collected himself and then opened the door. Signe was absolutely stunning. Dressed is a simple black dress and greeted Regel with a very familiar greeting. "Hello handsome."

Regel smiled and returned with "Hello good looking. Come on in you are right on time." With that he gave her a hug and a kiss on both cheeks.

[Regel]

She was not what he was expecting. She was so much more. Smiling like a teenager he welcomed her into his home. “Something smells good!" she said with a smile. Regel returned the smile and said "Yes indeed, I believe it's you. Come on in. Are you hungry?"

He watched her walk into the living room and sit by the fireplace "Famished. I haven't had a thing all day." she said as she sat down.

 

"Can I pour you some wine? I have a nice chilled Riesling." he asked from the kitchen. "Yes, please." she answered.

 

"Help yourself to the antipasto. I will be out in a minute." his voice was barely heard but definitely understood. The olives and cheeses were accompanied by several other delicacies. Some she recognized and some she didn’t. The crackers made a tempting palette and Signe had already begun to dress one with a sun dried tomato. While she waited for her host Signe had already begun to look around. Regel had and extensive musical library of cd’s and an even a sizeable collection in vinyl. Signe smiled as she looked through the older albums Cat Stevens, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Heart, Van Morrison, and James Taylor just to name a few. “What no beatles!” Signe laughed. Regel came in and smiled holding a pair of wine glasses one white and one red. Handing her the cold Riesling he simply answered “No not in vinyl. I wore them out.”

 

They chatted and listened to the music that played in the background.

 

Feeling alone

the army's up the rode

salvation à la mode and

a cup of tea.

Aqualung my friend

don't start away uneasy

you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.

 

 

The two old friends had many things to catch up on and while they reminisced the music filled and room and broke up the silences while they nibbled on the appetizers. “So what did you make me? “ She asked.

“We are having a roasted red pepper soup, then some cannelloni and a garden salad for starters, coffee and desert to follow.” Regel continued “Shall we start?”

 

With that they moved to the dining room. Fine white linen table cloth and a simple place setting with fresh wine glasses set for two with a single red rose in a small vase as a center piece greeted the two friends.

 

The food was piping hot and it smelled wonderful and all through the meal they spoke. Even their silences were comfortable as Billy Joel took over and sang

 

 

Slow down you crazy child

You're so ambitious for a juvenile

But then if you're so smart tell me why

You are still so afraid?

 

Regel’s face suddenly stiffened and then began “Can I ask you something Signe? Why me? I am not complaining, just curious.”

 

Signe carefully wiped the sauce from a corner of her mouth. Finally she began “I have always been attracted to older men. You’re a talented cook and besides you make me laugh.”

 

Regel considered the response without comment and finally asked "Are you ready for desert? Chocolate Cheesecake sound good?"

[Regel]

The evening passed far to quickly and although the old mage knew that this beatiful young woman was far too young for him it didn't stop him from enjoying her company. She reminded him of someone that had been very dear to him and that resemblence was very disconcerting. After the chocolate cheescake had been consumed the music changed back to motown and suddenly in the middle of the conversation the two friends both started singing along to an old classic.

 

"Oo, bet you’re wond’ring how I knew ’bout your plans to make me blue

With some other guy that you knew before?

Between the two of us guys, you know I love you more.

It took me by surprise, I must say, when I found out yesterday. oo,"

 

They both fell into a laughter and smiled inspite of their differences they shared many commonalities. They coversation remained in the shallow end of the pool for most of the evening but at one point there was a prolonged silence and it was finally broken by Regel with a simple question. "Do you like to dance?" When Signe responded the she loves to dances Regel's smile broadened and he pulled her to her feet and said "Let's go then". They quickly left his apartment into the evening air.