Home or Adventure

As I pull up to the intersection my palms start to sweat. I know I have to make the biggest decision of my life right here and now. I could go right and head home – but turning left will take me on the adventure of a lifetime.

Damiano came into my life just two weeks ago. I was at my local coffee shop pouring my usual 8 packets of sugar into my coffee, when I heard a deep voice with a heavy Italian accent say, “Whoa whoa.. You must appreciate the flavor of the coffee. This is too much.”

“I do appreciate the flavor of the coffee. I just appreciate it with a little sugar,” I say as I look up and see the most dangerously beautiful man I have ever seen in my life. “Uh… I… hi.”

His grin seemed to stretch from ear to ear. He reached out to shake my hand. “Hi. I’m Damiano.”

“Celeste”

After shaking his hand, he invited me to join him. Damiano was here on a business trip. He was only in town for four days. He asked me to give him a tour of the city. I ended up calling into work and spending eight hours showing him all of my favorite places in Phoenix. We went to the Botanical Gardens, Orpheum Theatre, had a drink at the Ghost Lounge, then had dinner at Durant's.

It had been years since I took a minute to slow down and really enjoy my hometown. I think the last time I had a day filled with that much fun was when I first started dating my college sweetheart. We would try to take a day every month to forget about school and just focus on us. It seems like it was so long ago. Now all I think about is work and bills.

“Thank you, Damiano. This has been a beautiful day.” I know if I look in a mirror right now, I will see the twinkle in my eye that has been missing for years.

Damiano sweeps a piece of hair behind my ear as he says, “Your smile is so beautiful. You should always wear it. I want to be the person to always keep it on your face. These past few hours together have been lovely. Please spend tomorrow with me. I have a meeting in the morning, but I will be free in the afternoon.”

“I don’t know. I already missed work today.”

“I will compensate you. Celeste, please.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

I guess if I go in early I can work a few hours, then leave without anyone realizing. “Fine. I will meet you at the coffee shop, tomorrow at 2:30.”

“Bellissimo”

The next day is just as wonderful. We went to Cobra Arcade and played games like teenagers, went to a hidden bar in the Roosevelt District, then had dinner at The Point. By the end of the day my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I felt like a kid. As the night went on, I could feel my chest pinching at the thought that I may never see him again.

“These past two days with you have made me feel so special,” I say looking into his honey-colored eyes. He placed his hand on my cheek.

“It does not have end here. My client is not ready to close. I am flying home for a week, then I will be back. I would love to see you again.”

We agreed to meet at the coffee shop in nine days, which is today. This time Damiano planned our day. When I got to the coffee shop, he was there waiting in a grey Rubicon Jeep.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a Jeep”

“I know that. I mean why do you have a Jeep?”

“We are going on an adventure.”

We spent the next couple of hours driving up to Sedona. Singing old songs, talking about our pasts, and what we hope for our futures. Everything flows so easily with us. I feel so free in his presence.

Once we are in Sedona, we go off roading in the Rubicon. He takes us to a little creek where we have a picnic, put our feet in the water, and just walk enjoying the peace and calm of nature. The day could not be any more perfect. After a few hours in Sedona, we head back to Phoenix.

Sitting in front of the coffee shop my stomach is in knots. Damiano’s client signed all the contracts. He is going back to Italy tonight. “Thank you for such a wonderful day, a wonderful couple of weeks. I can’t remember the last time I felt so alive.”

“My beautiful Celeste. I know it sounds crazy. I know it is so soon, but please come back to Italy with me. You can fly back with me tonight on my jet. We travel back in a couple weeks, but please join me on my trip home.”

“I.. I have a job, a home, and a family. I can’t just up and leave.”

“I have all the money either of us will ever need. We can fly back in a couple weeks. I will not keep you from your home or your family. I just want you to always feel the way you do today. Look at you. You are glowing.”

“I need more time to think.”

“Go home. Get cleaned up. Pack a bag and grab your passport. Meet me at Durant's. We will have dinner. After that you can either drive to the airport or drive back home.

I do just that. I go home, change into some new clothes, pack a bag with my passport. I can’t really do this, can I? I can’t leave my responsibilities, my home. I grab my back and fling it over my shoulder, running down the stairs I look at all the pictures on the wall. I have so many beautiful memories here. Can I trade them in for adventure? I get in my car and pull out of the driveway as another car pulls in. I wave as I head down the street.

We have another amazing dinner. After walking me to my car Damiano leans down and gives me the most passionate kiss I have ever received in my life. It is like he can’t get enough of me. We devour each other. Pulling away from me he looks at me with heated eyes. “I had to know what kissing you was like incase you did not meet me at the airport. Please don’t tell me your decision. I will wait until 9:00. If you are not there, I will know you are not coming.” He opens my car door, then kisses the top of my head before I get in and close the door.

Sitting at the intersection I could go right and head home – but turning left will take me to him. I let out a breath and turn the steering wheel. I get to the destination, turn off my car and sit for a minute. When I look up, I see them standing there. My husband and two daughters, my family. My heart is full.