Chapter 12 - The Riverbank Dinner
The restaurant by the river was intimate, dimly lit, and filled with the soft, elegant hum of acoustic jazz playing in the background.
Richard had arrived ten minutes early, standing up to pull out my chair when the host led me to our table by the glass window, which looked out over the dark, reflecting waters of the river reflecting the city lights.
"You look wonderful, Margaret," Richard said sincerely, taking my coat and hanging it over the back of the chair.
"Thank you, Richard. So do you," I replied, smoothing down the emerald-green silk blouse I had bought specifically for the occasion.
Throughout the dinner, there was an easy, unforced rhythm to our conversation. We didn't talk about our children, our past marriages, or the catastrophic wedding that had brought us together. Instead, we talked about art, travel, books we had read, and the quiet joys of building something with your own hands. Richard told me about his early days starting his construction firm from the back of a pickup truck, and I told him about my passion for pottery and my recent trip to the Scottish Highlands.
It wasn't a transaction. It wasn't a performance for high society. It was simply two adults getting to know each other, piece by genuine piece.
When the dessert arrived—a rich dark chocolate torte shared between us—Richard looked across the table, his eyes softening.
"Margaret," he said softly, resting his hands on the table. "I haven't felt this relaxed in the company of someone new in over fifteen years. I know our introduction was violent and bizarre, but meeting you has been the brightest unexpected light in a very long chapter of my life."
May you like
I smiled, feeling a warm, steady glow spread through my chest. "It’s funny how life works, Richard. Sometimes, everything has to completely shatter before you finally see what is real."
"Indeed," he murmured, reaching across the table to gently place his hand over mine. His fingers were warm, steady, and grounding. I didn't pull away. I simply turned my hand over and intertwined my fingers with his.
