“You have no faith in me. Did you really think I wouldn’t bring the chips?”

Dana pulled out the bag of blue chips. “You’re not very patient, are you?”

“Patient? Dane, you’ve met me right?” Alice grabbed the bag of chips and opened them, “So what else do you have in that bag o’ wonders? Can you pass me the dip?”

Dana smiled, handing the container over to Alice. “We have salad, but not just any salad, I chopped it, just the way you like it. And for dinner, we have salmon and risotto with asparagus.”

“That sounds great, Dane. So what’s in the other bag?” Alice asked, taking a bite of the chip. “Wow, this is great, where did you pick up the dip?”

“I didn’t pick it up, I made it. I made everything for tonight. Well, except for the chips. And as for the other bag, that’s for after dinner.”

“You really made this? It’s really good. I didn’t know you had hidden talents. I thought you only knew how to make healthy stuff. I can taste the cheese, is that provolone?”

“Yup and I do eat some things that aren’t healthy. Just in moderation.”

After an hour of prep and munching on chips, they sat down at the table for dinner. Dana put on music and even brought the candles.

Alice went to pour the wine, but Dana stopped her. “No, let me. Tonight is about spoiling you.”

“Dana, you’ve done enough, I can at least pour the wine.”

“Alice, no. I wanted to do something special tonight. I just wanted you to a bit of all of your favorite things. I know it’s cheesy, but I just want to spoil you tonight. I’m not good with words. But I can do stuff. And I wanted to do something that made you see how happy I am about this. OK?”

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you. You’re really sweet, you know that?” They sat staring at each other for a few seconds, “So are you going to pour the wine or what?”

“Yeah, there’s that famous patience.” Dana quipped as she poured the wine.

“So can I at least make the toast?” Alice asked.

“Go ahead. The floor is yours, Ms. Pieszecki.”

“Why thank you.” She lifted her glass and nodded to Dana to do the same, which she did.

“So, Dana. I didn’t plan on this, so this is off the cuff. I’m not so good at words either. But I have hope. For the first time I can remember, I look forward to tomorrow to see what might happen, to see the possibilities. Sitting here at home, with you at my table, I am absolutely more than satisfied.” She smiled at Dana and lifted her glass, “To the start of something amazing.”

As their glasses made their way to each other, so did they, kissing in time with the toast.

tbc

Mary Chapin Carpenter – Not Too Much to Ask

To hear you say my name,

to see you search my eyes

To feel you touch my hand, it more than satisfies.

If I was not the first,

just say I’ll be the last

It’s too much to expect,

but it’s not too much to ask.

Now I can only dream of being all you need

And I can only try to be the reason why

You think about today and forget about the past It’s too much to expect, but it’s not too much to ask.

Now I can only dream of being all you need And I can only try to be the reason why You think about today ’cause the past is just the past

It’s too much to expect, but it doesn’t hurt to ask

It’s too much to expect, but it’s not too much to ask.