Dear Diary,

The previous day was one of the worse dates that I have ever had, but this date was wonderful.  We learned more about each other during the day then enjoyed the evening.  It seems as if the god of dates decided to make up for the earlier date because this day was the best date ever. 

 

AJ opened the door to our new room and gently placed his hand on my back to usher me into the room.  I stopped suddenly as I looked around the suite in awe.  AJ nearly bumped into me because he also was looking around surprised.

 

“AJ, this room is incredible,” I breathed.  “Now I know why you were upset that they gave this room to someone else.”

 

“To be honest, Sarah.  I reserved a queen size room, not a suite.  They must have felt really bad.  All the reports that I have heard about this place say that they take pride in offering ‘the ultimate in personalized service.’”

 

“This looks very European,” I said as walked around the room looking at everything.  “Oh, they moved all our stuff from the other room and even hung up my new clothes.  That is nice.”

 

“I’m going to go downstairs and talk to the manager.  Why don’t you go ahead and shower before dinner?” suggested AJ.

 

I went into the luxury bathroom where I found an assortment of shampoos, conditioners and body washes.  I was even more impressed with the hotel now.  How many places would be that considerate for someone who lost his or her luggage?  After my shower, I stepped out, dried off and wrapped myself in a wonderfully fluffy robe that was in the closet.  As I was pulling my new dress off the hanger AJ came back into the room. 

 

"I talked to the manager and he said that this was the only open room so he put us here at the price of the queen room."

 

"That was nice," I said.

 

"I don’t necessarily believe him but he seemed adamant. He also told me about this great Italian restaurant just a few blocks away.  If you would like we can walk there then catch a cab to the concert."

 

"Sounds good to me," I said as I watched him pick up his shaving kit then disappear into the bathroom.  I finished getting dressed then went out into the other room to give AJ some privacy.  He soon walked out dressed in a jet-black tux.  He came up to me and loosely put his arms around me.  "You are beautiful," he whispered.

 

"Well, you aren’t too bad either," I said with a smile.  We leaned together and kissed.  His kiss was gentle and undemanding but that soon changed as the kisses became more intense. 

 

He finally pulled away and said with a voice full of regret, "We probably should leave now."  Even though a part of me didn't want to, I knew that we had to. 

 

We slowly walked the three blocks to the restaurant where we had an incredibly wonderful meal.  We ate in a private secluded booth, lit only by candlelight.  When dinner was over, we simply sat there holding hands for a while.  I know that I was thinking about what was likely to happen when we get back to the hotel.  I suspected that AJ was thinking the same thing.

 

Finally, knowing that we had to leave to get to the concert, I spoke up. 

 

"I hate to say this AJ, but we probably should leave."

 

"You're right.  I don't want us to be late."

 

AJ had already taken care of the bill so we left and managed to catch a cab surprisingly fast.  We soon arrived at Carnegie Hall with just enough time to spare. 

 

The concert began with a woman named Helena as the opening act.  We were spell bound by her voice but even more so when Boccelli came on stage himself.  His voice was amazing even though I couldn’t understand the language.  After some wonderful songs, Helena came back onstage for a duet.  AJ reached over and took my hand as they began to sing together.  I looked over to him and caught an expression that made me wonder what they were singing. 

 

“Teach me,” I whispered.

 

“Teach you what?” he whispered back.

 

“The words.  What they are singing.”  He smiled just a bit.

 

“Of course.”  He lifted my hand to his lips and gently placed a kiss on my knuckles before he softly said, “They are singing about loneliness and how they will never be lonely again.”  I caressed his cheek before he lowered my hand, holding it in both his hands for the rest of the concert.