Introducing Him

Tonight I saw him. At first I didn’t even know it was him but when I realized who it was my heart skipped a beat but my thought pattern did not. This was the time. For if the Universe had granted me this opportunity once more to hold this handful of jewels in my hand I would not allow them to slip through my fingers again.

While the work week had only been four days it felt like the regular five. Friday had come and I was delighted with clear canvass of the weekend. Two days to do what I want when I wanted even if that was nothing at all. I basked in the glory of freedom to come. Late into the afternoon I decided to send a few messages to brother friends of mine to inquire if they would like to join me for a drink at my favorite martini bar. I thought it would be a nice way to cap off the week – with a night cap.

Two agreed, I made three and that made enough for a full fledged plan. Immediately after I wrapped up my last project for the day I wrapped myself in the black scarf my mother gave me for Christmas, my UK coat and crowned myself with my beloved winter black hat. I dashed to the train and the weekend began.

When I arrived at the bar I walked straight to the bar in the back. Having not seen either of my invited guests I figured it would be the best place for me to settle in while I awaited their arrival. Then a hand appeared. I saw the face to whom it belonged and the grip was soon to follow. He is a good brother. A brother I haven’t seen in some time but always bring a smile and sense of fraternity with him. He was there with his wife and a few of his friends. One of them I knew. The other walked up to us and in his eyes I lost myself. He was the man who I’d always wanted to know.

We shared a dance in white three or four summers ago. From then on I we would pass each other like trains in the night. Three times we had crossed paths but not been able to connect. Three times I had told the story of the chocolate man to whom I wanted to surrender but before I could find my white handkerchief he was gone. Tonight we finally connected. In a safe space with no rushing, no pretense surrounding us there was time for a formal introduction. His smile is as I always remember it. His skin as chocolate as I’ve always wanted to indulge. We talked.

I slid him my calling card. Now the question is will he be calling. I certainly would answer. And what lay beneath that is that this morning someone called to share with me that he’d prayed for me. Wouldn’t it be something if God answered his prayer.