It Happened in a Canoe
by Arlene Mandell
Newland, North Carolina
It was our fourth date. I liked him well enough, but no special feelings had come into play -- yet.
We had first met at Dine-a-Round, a dinner-dance singles club in Miami. Their events were held in spacious venues with tables elegantly set for dinner, each one numbered and seating eight people.
When you arrived, you were given three separate tickets for salad, entree and dessert. For each course, you found the table that matched your ticket number and carried your water glass, utensils and napkin with you. I liked that you got to meet and converse casually with people, instead of just eyeing strangers on opposite sides of a dance floor.
I arrived early, got my tickets and milled around the lobby, glass of wine in hand, watching other singles arrive. Then "HE" walked in, wearing a silky black suit, open-necked ivory-colored shirt, and ear cuff on one ear. The overhead track light shining on his shock of silvery hair caught my eye, but it was the ear cuff that really grabbed my attention. He was artsy looking; as an artist, that significantly appealed to me.
For the first two courses, I dined on the usual pleasantries; but, for dessert, I got lucky. "HE" was already seated at the table; only one empty seat remained -- right next to him. I made a beeline over there and nailed it. We started a conversation and discovered that he frequently used a storage unit across the street from where I worked! We laughed and said we'd probably passed each other many times without knowing it. When the evening ended, I gave him my business card and said I'd enjoy having lunch with him sometime. He called the next day; three dates followed.
For the fourth date, I asked to go canoeing. An experienced canoeist, he showed up Saturday morning with an array of supplies: cooler with picnic lunch, six-pack of beer on ice, seat cushions, radio, sunscreen, sun hats and towels. I was impressed he put so much thought into this!
We rented a canoe on the Oleta River in Miami and paddled along its peaceful waterway under a thick green canopy of palm fronds. At noon, we pulled up under a shady spot along the riverbank for lunch. As we ate, he opened up for the first time and surprised me with personal stories about his life.
Afterwards, we continued paddling. It was a sultry afternoon, and I was heady with beer as I watched his sinewy arms show me some advanced paddling techniques. Then, somewhere along the river, I felt butterflies fluttering in my heart and knew it was those wonderful feelings I thought I'd never know again after having lost my husband.
Twenty-five years later, we still paddle away. A pandemic hasn’t stopped us, nor the vagaries and vicissitudes of age and misfortune. We pack the same supplies and feel the same feelings. In these days of so many changes, some sweet things remain the same.
Copyright 2020, Arlene Mandell