I may have, kind of, cheated on my day two prompt. It all depends on what you call cheating. I looked at the prompt before going to bed last night (okay like three nights ago) so I could have some time to think about things. It sounds like cheating. I feel like I cheated. Oh well, the prompt is an interesting one. I will be writing about meeting up with the “one that got away” on Valentine’s Day by accident. I thought about this one alot because I am not a romantic person. I think I figured out the best way to approach this one and really hope you enjoy the story. Don’t forget to give me some feedback. Anything is welcome as long as its feedback and you don’t decide to tell me about the last trick your dog is doing – that just doesn’t help. LOL

Now- enjoy this final Valentine’s story.

Standing in the middle of the Farmer’s Market I wondered what possesed me to come out on this day. I am surrounded by couples finding the perfect indgredients to their Valentine’s dinner while I pick at the eggs just looking for breakfast tomorrow. I hate this day. It always is a sad reminder of my relationship status. The lonely status of one. This year it is on a Saturday which makes it worse. I can’t just run to the office and get some work done while quietly ignoring the deliveries of flowers to my co-workers. It never helps that I’m always reminded of college on this day either. It has been a good three years since I left school but I still remember Danny. He was such an amazing, beautiful person. It didn’t have to end but I was stubborn.

As I stood in the middle of the eggs and raw milk thoughts of the past continued to play in my mind’s eye until I felt a nudge in my shoulder.

“Uh, excuse me.” reverberated through my ear and I immediately knew that voice. Turning abruptly I stood mere inches from the man I was just remembering. I whispered,”Danny?”

He stood before me in the flesh. His bright blue eyes seemed to glisten in the light as they looked down at my face. His shaggy black hair blew around his head in the breeze of the early morning. My breath caught in my chest while my eyes became cloudy with the tears of regret that have stung my memories for the last few years.

“Jessica, is that really you?” Danny asked while smiling down at me.

“It is, I replied. “I can’t believe YOU are here. It’s been so long. How are you?” I managed to get it all out in one long breath praying I didn’t sound too excited.

“Well, I moved back for a job opportunity about a month ago and things have been going pretty well. How are you doing?” He replied

“I am doing okay myself. Same old stuff as always. Are you living around here?” I answered as I hoped he couldn’t detect the nervousness in my voice.

“I rented a place around the corner from the market. I’m still trying to decide about buying or not. Are you here to get stuff for tonight?” He quizzed.

“Tonight….? OH, tonight. No, I’m getting a few things for breakfast. How about you? I remember you were quite the cook. You have something planned for this evening?” I asked this hoping the answer was no. I couldn’t believe my luck. I couldn’t believe any of this was going on. He was actually standing here in front of me having a conversation like we were still in college and no time had ever passed.

“I don’t have plans, no, but I might. What are you actually doing? Would you be interested in catching up over dinner?” His eyes squinted in the light and a soft smile crept over his face as he peered down at me waiting for my reply.

I do everything I can to hold in the excitement before I answer his question. The very thought that after all these years I could possibly correct what I did wrong – my head is pounding. “Of course, that sounds lovely.” I casually respond hoping that it sounds as calm and collected as I imagine.
His face seemed to beam in delight as he responded, “Great! I have a really special dish that I’d like to make you and we can have some wine while we catch up. Still love a good steak with some red wine or has that changed?”

“That would be the perfect meal yes.” The feeling in my stomach is overwhelming and I’m starting to perspire a bit while I relish in the crazy circumstances that have brought us together in the middle of the Farmer’s Market making dinner plans. I am already thinking about what to wear and if it should include the sexy underwear I haven’t worn in months. My eyes flit down to my nails that need a manicure and I KNOW I will need to at least shave. As I’m languishing in the thoughts of preparing for this date (dare I call it such) I can hear him speaking to me again.

“Okay – well, why don’t you give me your number and I’ll text you my address. Let’s say we meet back up at my place around six?” The words flowed out of his luscious lips and planted themselves in my ears.
“Wonderful.” This would give me the time I needed to do some quick clean up and maintenance on myself. He started to pull his cell phone from his back pocket and punched in my number as I gave it to him. “I really look forward to this Danny. It’s been a long time.”

“Me too.” He quietly responded. “Well, I better get going if I’m going to get that dinner ready for tonight.” He leaned forward and his arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace. I trembled in excitement. “It’s going to be a great evening.” He whispered in my ear as he hugged me tightly.

I hugged him back feeling the strong muscles in his back and shoulders as he leaned on me. I breathed in the scent of him and was rushed back in time to the last moment we had together. I still cannot believe this is happening. Our embrace broke and he stepped back waving, “I’ll see you in a few hours.” I waved back, smiling and told him, “I look forward to it.”

As he turned and walked away I took deep breaths. This is really happening. I have thought about Danny for the last three years. I have regretted what I did when it was time to decide on where our relationship was going to go at the time. Now – I have so much to do. I decided anything for breakfast tomorrow could wait and rushed back to my car so that I could get myself ready for the evening. It is going to be a great one and I can’t let myself look like a schlempy mess.

I stood on the front steps of the cute row house that had the address matching the one in my phone. It was 5:50 and I was terrified to ring the bell. I know being a little early was not a big deal but yet I still couldn’t bring myself to announce my arrival. I stared at the house numbers above the door and finally willed myself to ring.

The door opened a few seconds later and Danny stood before me. He was still dressed as he was when we met at the market but he was a little disheveled from working in the kitchen.
“Hey. Sorry, I’m a few minutes early – I hope that’s okay.” I mumbled sheepishly. Geez!! What is wrong with me? I dated this man for 2 years but yet I keep acting like I am on a first date (which this very well may not be a date).

“No no. You’re fine. Come on in and you can help me put the finishing touches on the salad. I just need to cut the cucumber and tomatoes. Which one do you want?” He provided this option while walking across the entry of the house down a short hall. I followed him trying to think about what he just asked me when we turned a corner and I say a beautifully laid out table for two. On the other side of the table was the kitchen and there sat the unfinished salad.

“Oh – hmmm…I think I’ll take the cucumber. I’ve never been good at cutting tomatoes.” I replied as we both stood in front of the cutting board. Danny handed me a small knife and the cucumber. He stepped to the right opening a small cabinet above my head and pulled down a bottle of red wine.

“Would you like a glass?” He asked me.

“Of course, red wine is my favorite but I guess you remembered.” I smiled at him as he poured the glasses and handed me one. I set down the knife and took a sip while finally pausing long enough to take in my surroundings. I am actually standing in the kitchen of Danny’s house. He is standing next to me close enough to feel his body heat. I am going to be sitting down to a dinner with the man I should have never let go all those years ago. I took another sip of my wine and finished cutting the cucumber and handed Danny the knife. Now we can finish this salad and get to the table. I’m finally feeling calm and really accepting this situation. Things are going to be good now and it will be a great dinner that will hopefully be the start of something new.

Danny finished cutting the tomatoes and put them along with the cucumber into the salad. He grabbed the bowl and walked to the table, setting it in the middle. I followed him smiling and sipping my wine. As I got close to the table my head spun. Apparently it’s been too long since I last had a drink. I felt a bit flushed and dizzy. He turned and looked at me pointing to the chair in front of me. “Go ahead and sit while I get the steaks off the grill.”

I sat in silence feeling the room sway. I should drink a little slower. Instead I pick up the glass and sip again. I figure even if I’m a bit swimmy I’ll at least be completely relaxed for our dinner. Danny returned with a sizzling steak and set it before me as he took his seat on the opposite side of the table.
“This smells divine Danny.” I picked up my knife and cut into the steak. It was a nice medium cook and the juices ran across the plate. I bit into the meat and the warmth of the juices flooded my mouth as it melted like butter on my tongue.

“Oh Danny, you have outdone yourself. This is the most delicious steak I have ever had and it is so very tender.” I gushed as I cut my second bite. He grinned from ear to ear taking in the compliment.
“Here, let me refill your wine. I’m glad you like the dish. She was a lovely specimen. I knew she would be delicious.” He mused as he refilled my glass.

“Now you even know the sex of the meat you cook.” I laughed as I sipped more wine.

“Well, it is good to know where your stock comes from and I like to hand pick mine. It makes the meal so much more intimate and meaningful.” He leaned back in his seat as he cut his steak preparing to take a large bite when he looked up at me.

“Are you feeling okay?”

I looked down at my plate and realized how intoxicated I felt. The room was swimming and I could barely feel my limbs. They felt like lead weights hanging from my core. I tried to say, I’m fine, but the words would not come out of my mouth. I looked up at Danny, helpless and confused.

“No, I guess you aren’t feeling okay. I was hoping you would get to enjoy more of your dinner before things got this far. I tried really hard to make sure the dosages were right. I really wanted to see you enjoy Penny.” He rose from the table with the last sentence. I looked at him again with confusion. What is going on began to play over and over in my head.

“See, Penny was amazing and I never wanted her to go. I learned years ago what I have to do if I don’t want people to go. You taught me that. You were the first to show me what I had to do. But you still got away. Now, I don’t have to ever let you go either.” He felt under the table by his chair and when he pulled his arm back he held a bloody hammer. Seeing the hammer I finally understood. I began to gag on the meal I just consumed. I can’t believe I just ate……Penny. I try to get up and run but my legs won’t move. All I can do is rock back and forth in my chair trying to escape.

Danny, the one that I let get away, moved closer with each rocking motion, raising the hammer over my uncontrollable body.