That night

Its funny sometimes how memories can hit you at the strangest moments. They just come unexpectedly flooding back, rushing over you, paralyzing you where you are and always seem to leave you standing there stunned.

As i drove up the coast with the windows down and the roof open, the sun shone in on me. The grape vines flew by and almost sparkled in the sun. I turned the corner and pulled into the parking lot. As I waited for a space to free up... it happened. I was transported to that night. That one night where the world stood still because it was just too perfect. Too perfect to let the world continue to spin the evening to an end. That night where I felt so small and so safe.

I couldn't tell you how or why it happened, but it did. In the almost 80 degree heat I was instantly transported to that cold rainy night. It was maybe 40 degrees and had been raining for what felt like weeks. That damp cold feeling that goes right through you lingered in the air. You took me to one of your favorite restaurants. One of those places where couples sit on the same side and its acceptable. One of those places where its almost as dark inside as it is out. We ate, we drank, we laughed, you smiled at me. That one certain smile that told me everything I needed to hear without you ever saying a word.

As we went to leave you pushed open the over sized restaurant door. We both realized how much the rain had picked up. You made me wait at the door while you got the truck. As i hoped in you joked about the seat warmer that you had on high for me. We were silent that night as you drove me home. The only ones on the road. The radio playing that song that always makes me think of you. The warm seat slowly enveloped my tiny body. The wipers whizzed back and forth as quickly as they could. You held my hand as I looked out the window towards the sky and wondered, "is this it?" Suddenly a small break in the clouds revealed a handful of stars and I was sure it was. I looked back at you just as you glanced back towards the road.