We went out, the night was young and filled with promises...
We began the evening festivities at a lovely bistro in Renaissance Harlem. The convivial atmosphere made for great company; from the patrons at the tables and bar, to the charming staff. The conversations were endless and flowing as easily as the wine poured into every empty glass... The night was filled with promises...
After the delectable dinner, we hopped on a cab and made our way downtown to the mystifying and vibrant Lower East Side. We were excited because LES is a neighborhood for all; no pretensions. A place that embraces and welcomes those who just want to be and have fun... The night was young and filled with promises...
We arrived at the bar before our joining party and decided to proceed with cocktails as we waited for them. The music in the background was an eclectic mix of Top 100's, a salute to the late Michael Jackson and Prince's "Purple Rain" album. We sat down at a table and looked at the large flat screen television by the bar showcasing none other than Michael Schultz "The Last Dragon" as only befitting to an LES venue. We smiled as we knew... the night was filled with promises...
Our friends enthusiastically came pouring into the bar. We were all determined to have fun and make this night one to remember... little did I know how true that would be for me... The night was still filled with promises...
There he was, the connection was instant. We had a few idle chats and shared a few witty & sarcastic remarks. "What can you tell about me by simply looking into my eyes?" he asked me. I looked at him without flinching, "If you don't acknowledge when you care about someone and learn to trust the person in the moment, you will lose her, and hopefully you catch her before it's too late!" I said fearlessly. He was stunned by my ballsy statement because, as he knew himself, there was truth in what was stated. He knew right then what type of person I was... The night was filled with promises...
The rest of the evening felt like snapshots of an unfeathered reality. He and I got in his car and drove around the city. The streets were wrapped in a dark blanket and filled with spotted golden freckles from the beaming building lights. We talked incessently and effortlessly, like childhood friends, catching up on the whereabouts of each others lives.... He and I shared a common thread that was filled with promises...
He took me on a tour, although I have lived in the city nearly 10 years, I felt I was seeing it for the first time. Every bridge, every corner and house was accompanied by an anecdote of his childhood in New York... Every red signal street light became a moment in time where, for mere seconds, we would stare at each other and hold the world still... our glares were filled with promises...
The Queensboro Bridge laid ahead, he and I remained quiet, holding hands, staring out from the car window as the sun was rising on the horizon and its rays softly gleamed on the East River. The colors of the sky blended from green, to yellow, pink and a towering blue. In the background, He and I listened to the effusive sounds of KIDDING ON THE SQUARE "Talk About It" on the radio, that simply encapsulated the transition from an LES night to a morning filled with promises...
The tour continued into Queens with visits to museums, parks, restaurants and monuments. He and I were unbewildered by the morning glare, we had a chance encounter and wanted to delight in every second we spent together... For fear to lose this opportunity, our hearts were filled with promises...
We sat at a neighborhood cafe for brunch to quench our demanding appetites. Coffee, eggs, muffins, salad, hot sauce.... we did not shy away from the menu selections. We continued our conversation until the sweet aromatic smell of our meals filled the morning air with promises...
He drove me home. Neither of us made any proclamations or PROMISES of lasting friendship or any other relationship... For we both felt we embraced the moment and shared this chance ENCOUNTER to its fullest glory. It did not bother us if we should not meet again...
Some encounters have no hidden agenda or targeting goals... They are simply an OCCASION in time where you get the chance to connect with someone and be yourself... TRUST and "catch her before it's too late."
Life has a funny way of creating these experiences only later to REVEAL something about yourself or some PROMISING TRUTHS about the world around you.
Embrace Life!
With Love,
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