Yesterday Blair and I met in front of Starbucks in the Hudson's Bay Centre. He greeted me with his customary hello, which brought a smile to my face because it had been such a long time since I'd heard it. I gave him a big warm hug. Then we ventured through the underground to the Cumberland Cinemas to see Sherlock Holmes. Once we got there, however, we were greeted by a darkened cinema. One of the staff came outside and explained that there had been a power outage throughout Yorkville since late that morning. For our inconvenience she presented a voucher to each of us. I guess Sherlock Holmes will have to wait until next Sunday.
As we started walking back towards Yonge Street, Blair suggested that we grab a coffee at Starbucks. We stopped by several Starbucks, but each one we visited was full. When we got to the Starbucks on Church Street, which we quickly discovered was also full, Blair said why don't we just go to a pub. Feeling a bit cold and tired of wandering, I agreed.
We ended up at Churchmouse and Firkin, where I normally attend the MLT brunches, just down the street from the Starbucks. We found a comfortable booth, ordered coffees and simply relaxed and chatted for a while. Blair presented me with a belated Christmas gift in the form of a small gift bag stuffed with tissue paper. Inside the bag was a DVD of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which I had seen at the cinema a few months earlier. I smiled and thanked him so much. At one point, the waiter came by our table and gently reminded us that there was a minimum charge. So we took a few moments to glance over the menu. When he returned, we ordered a couple of alcohol-based coffees to warm ourselves a bit more.
While we were drinking our coffees, I announced that I was taking him to dinner at Sambuca's, a restaurant in the heart of the Gay Village where I have had nothing but great dining experiences. Blair immediately voiced his concern about it costing me money which I didn't have. But he didn't break my resolve and I explained that this was my gift to him. Unbeknownst to him, this was only the first part of my gift.
When we arrived at the restaurant, it was mostly empty. We quickly found a table at the back and seated ourselves. After presenting us with menus, the waiter brought us some water and a basket of bread. A few minutes later he returned to take our orders. Blair decided on the tortellini. I decided on a green salad to start followed by lamb chops. To compliment our meal I ordered a half-litre of white wine for us to enjoy.
The whole dining experience with him that night was wonderful. It was unrushed and casual. He commented on the ambience and the food. Sitting together like this brought back fond memories of dinners we had shared together when he was living at his old place. I felt a great sense of warmth and calm inside, but this I didn't share with him.
After dinner we walked up Church Street to Isabella. When we reached the corner, Blair thanked me for a great time and said his goodbyes. Then I explained that there was a second part to his Christmas gift. He would need to accompany me to my place to pick it up. I could tell from his expression that he was saying to himself that you didn't have to do that.
After we arrived, I presented him with his card. He didn't say very much after reading it, but I know that he was touched by the sentiment expressed in the card.
Then the pièce de résistance!
Walking over to the window I picked up his present, which had been sitting by the window for several weeks. It was loosely encased in crinkly transparent plastic wrapping and tied off at the top with a couple of white ribbons. Finally after weeks of waiting, I handed him his Grinch tree, which brought a smile to his face. That in and of itself made me very happy.
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