Margarita's First Date

When William stopped at Margarita’s apartment, he paused for a moment and thought of his late wife, Lena. His mind was a peace with the feeling that she would approve of his spending time with Margarita.

Margarita’s oldest child, Isabella, greeted William at the door.

“Hello, I’m Isabella. Come in,” she said with an air of comfort in her voice that startled William.

He smiled and said, “Thank you, Isabella. That’s a beautiful name.”

Isabella returned his smile and yelled to her sister, “Go tell Mother that William is here.” Then, turning back to William, she said with a hint of annoyance, “That’s my little sister, Ana. Carlos is our brother and he’s over at a friend’s house.”

William said, “Let me see. You’re Isabella, then there’s Ana and Carlos.”

The care he took with their names made Isabella smile.

"Hello, William," Margarita greeted warmly, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant red dress that accentuated her natural grace and her shapely figure. Isabella did a double take at her mother because she hadn’t seen that red dress before.

"Good evening, Margarita. You look lovely," William replied, handing her a small bouquet of flowers he had picked up on the way.

"Thank you, these are beautiful," she said, accepting the flowers with a tender smile. “Isabella, would you put these in some water?” As Isabella nodded, Margarita continued, “Supper is in the kitchen and you’re in charge until we get back home.”

The restaurant was one Margarita had never visited. The tables were elegant and lighting dim. A piano played from the corner. The conversation flowed effortlessly between them as they ate.  Topics touched on work, mutual interests, and children. William inquired about Margarita’s coworkers and friends and they realized they had no one in common. William said it was probably because he was older, which made Margarita laugh. The atmosphere was warm and intimate, and as the evening progressed, the topic shifted to more personal matters.

Margarita, with a gentle tone, asked, "William, if you don't mind me asking, how did you and Lena meet?"

William's eyes softened as he looked into the distance, recalling the cherished memory. "We met in college," he began. "We were both studying literature, and our passion for poetry brought us together. Lena had a way with words that could make the coldest heart feel warmth."

"That sounds beautiful," Margarita said, her voice filled with admiration.

"It was," William agreed. "She was my compass, my confidant, and my best friend. When she fell ill, everything changed, but our love never wavered."

Margarita listened intently, her heart touched by his devotion. "You must have gone through so much together," she said softly.

"We did," William nodded. "But Lena was remarkable. Even in her weakest moments, she was more concerned about me and how I was coping. She made me promise to keep living fully, to find happiness again after she was gone. It's taken time, but I think I'm finally learning how to honor that promise."

Margarita reached across the table, placing her hand over his. "That level of love and commitment is rare," she said earnestly. "Lena sounds like she was an extraordinary woman. It's clear you loved her deeply."

William squeezed her hand gently in response. "I did, and I always will. But she also wanted me to be open to new chapters in life. And I must say, spending time with you and getting to know your family has brought a new sense of joy I wasn't sure I'd find again."

Margarita's heart fluttered at his words. "I'm glad we've met, William. You have a wonderful way of honoring the past while embracing the present."

As they continued their dinner, the bond between them grew stronger, built on a foundation of mutual respect and an understanding that love, in all its forms, is a precious gift to be cherished.