Starry Night
by Carmen Myrtis-Garcia

First Date

Our first date took place in a Van Gough painting. Creamy, pale stars swirled above us in a midnight-blue sky. We sat at one of the tiny, round Parisian cafe tables underneath a golden-spiral moon. He lingered over a tall mocha latte while I sipped a frothy cappuccino topped off with sweet granules of nutmeg. It seemed as if we'd known each other forever.

I'd chosen him from a list of men in a book at the local dating service. I know, a dating service? Isn't that a little desperate? Isn't that a little risky? Those thoughts went through my mind too, but after awhile I thought, what the heck. How else am I going to meet a nice man my age? I'm in my forties and going to college. Not much opportunity there. This way I at least get to screen them before meeting them. I selected him for his Caribbean blue eyes and long, brown hair. I've always had a thing for long hair. Most men my age are short on hair and long on seriousness. Not my cup of tea, or coffee, as it were.

The dating service manger arranged for us to meet one evening at Starry Night Cafe, a quiet, quaint little coffee shop with a Van Gough motif in Fort Collins, CO. It was his way of protecting his clientele, especially women. He never gave out personal addresses or phone numbers. He left that decision up to the couple once they'd met in person. I arrived at the coffee shop first and ordered a hazelnut decaf. When I'm nervous about meeting someone for the first time I get there way too early and then fidget around with my hair or makeup making myself even more nervous.

I looked at my watch for the hundredth time. Our meeting was scheduled for 6:30, still four minutes away. I'd been there for twenty minutes already. Pulled out my mirror and combed my hair, again. Glanced at the watch. Almost 6:30. What if he changed his mind? What if he wasn't going to show? Will I recognize him? What if he doesn't look like his picture at all? Maybe it was taken years ago. Time to take a deep breath, sip the last drop of coffee, and relax. He'll show.

6:32. There he is. Walking through the door. Must be him. He has long, brown hair and is wearing a black leather jacket. He's recognized me. He smiles and walks toward my table. What if he doesn't like me? What if I don't like him? Take another sip of coffee. Oh, the cup is empty, I forgot.

"Carmen?" he looks uncertain, but friendly.

I smiled. "Yes, and you're Michael?" I stand and we shake hands.

"That's me. Been waiting long?" His eyes are even more blue and beautiful than in his photo. And kind.

"No, not at all" I wanted him to think I'd just gotten there myself.

He glanced down at my coffee cup. "I'm going to go get a latte. Can I get you a refill?"

"Actually, I'd like a cappuccino, thanks." I tried not to stare at him while he was at the counter waiting for our order. He was taller than I expected. Of course everyone seems tall to me since I'm only 4'11" myself. He looks like a nice guy. And good-looking.

He returned to the table with our drinks. "Nice place. First time I've been here." He said as he sat down and looked around.

"Me, too." I answered wiping my white cappuccino mustache with a napkin.

It was the type of place where people sit back, relax, and linger for awhile. Groups of women were enjoying stimulating conversations or catching up on the latest gossip over delicious pastries and iced drinks. Students, hunched over textbooks, studying for exams while sipping coffee, occupied several other tables. A man sat alone at a corner table deeply involved in scribbling in a notebook as if he were writing the great American novel. It was a pleasant environment and turned out to be a very pleasant evening.

It didn't take long before I discovered that Michael was an artist. I didn't know much about art, but I loved Van Gough's work. It made being in this coffee shop for the first time on our first date all the more special.

One question led to another and into an engaging conversation. Before long we became oblivious to the people around us. We were completely lost in one another. We ordered more coffee and delicious cranberry scones and talked for more than three hours.

One month later were engaged. That was nine happy years ago. Each year on our "first date" anniversary we return to Starry Night Cafe to relive the magic of Van Gough.



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