The slight, Spring breeze hitting the back of Daniel\u2019s neck felt a lot cooler than he expected it to be, but then again he had been sweating bullets all day. As he gazed out at the lavish, flower-filled park,\u00a0he found it hard to find temporary relief in the giddy laughter of the young children running along the field of vibrant pinks, purples, and yellows. Nothing could remove this crippling anxiety that has been building inside of him all week. The pressures of all the extensive hours of planning were finally coming to a head and for the first time in forever, he couldn\u2019t handle it. Most people would think that for an up-and-coming culinary student, he should\u2019ve been able to handle the heat, and most days he could, but not today. Today was different. Unlike the challenge of a fast-paced dinner rush at his family\u2019s restaurant or his perfected use of fierce concentration needed to locate and collect the best of ingredients, there was one recipe that Daniel had yet to figure\u00a0out;\u00a0the recipe of the perfect first date.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While sitting on the checkered blanket underneath a large willow tree, Daniel had begun setting out the meal that he had prepared for\u00a0Joi,\u00a0a gorgeous Creative Arts student, that he had had a crush on.\u00a0Using the time that he had left before Joi arrived, Daniel relieved some of his anxiety by preparing their meal because unlike dating, cooking\u00a0was like second nature to him. One by one, he removed the plastic lids from the containers of an array of savory dipping sauces that he created himself as a way to impress Joi with his skills. There were sweet sauces, spicy sauces, and sauces of many colors. As he was placing the sauces on the blanket, Daniel took time to admire his work. He was admiring\u00a0it for so long that he didn\u2019t notice that Joi was walking up to him. While still reaching into the picnic basket and grabbing the last few sauces, Joi began calling his name.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDaniel!\u201d she says. \u201cHey Daniel!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After five minutes of Daniel not noticing her, Joi decided to tap him once she got close enough.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Little did she know that a still nervous Daniel had one more sauce container in his hand at the time and he had already removed the lid.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHey Daniel!\u201d Joi said again as she gently tapped his shoulder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWoahhh!\u201d exclaimed Daniel as he abruptly turned to face the person who had startled him with the sauce still in hand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finally recognizing the kind eyes and warm, vibrant smile that belonged to Joi, Daniel briefly relaxed until he noticed that the once snow-white dress that Joi was wearing was now splattered by the bright, red marinera sauce that was in the container he was holding just five seconds before.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJoi! Your dress, I\u2019m so sorry!\u201d Daniel says as he passes her some of the napkins he had stored in the picnic basket.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean? It was just an accident Daniel. It\u2019s no big deal.\u201d She smiles in hopes of lightening the situation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI wanted this date to be perfect, but instead I just messed it up as soon as you got here.\u201d he sighed.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDaniel, look at me,\u201d she says placing both of her hands on his shoulders. \u201cI\u2019m an artist remember. Where most people see a mess, I see art and I just so happened to be your culinary canvas. So, do us both a favor and breathe.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOkay.\u201d Daniel shyly laughs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finally taking what seemed like his first deep breath, Daniel grabbed\u00a0the large picnic basket as Joi sat\u00a0across from him on the blanket and they enjoyed\u00a0the meal that Daniel prepared.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOh, and by the way,\u201d Joi says. \u201cThese sauces are delicious!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Janelle Stapleton The slight, Spring breeze hitting the back of Daniel\u2019s neck felt a lot cooler than he expected it to be, but then again he had been sweating bullets all day. As he gazed out at the lavish, flower-filled park,\u00a0he found it hard to find temporary relief in the giddy laughter of the young… <\/p>\n