The temperature was reading upwards of a hundred degrees in east Texas where I grew up. I had just received my first truck for my 16th birthday (though I was still 15)and was anxious to get out and blow through some money that still smelled like the inside of my sweet ol' granny's purse. Eager to get out of the heat for a while I decided to visit "D's Pipes"; which could have carried the name "D's pipes, candles, figurines, fruit cakes, arts'n'crafts, and a load of other crap no one will ever buy"...but I guess that explains why there out of business now....doesn't it? Anyhow, once I made it through the hodge-podge section, I stood before the one door that I wasn't allowed to enter; "NO ONE UNDER 18 ALLOWED", "Two more years? Ahhhh!", I thought; the sign seemed to snicker and ridicule me! After pacing around for what seemed like hours, trying to send obvious hints of my desire to enter to the lady behind the counter, she leaned over the glass case full of pipes and other contraband and changed my life forever..."Go on! Pick one out, just don't tell yer momma!" Shock, fear and euphoria began to surge through me as I lunged for the door. Feeling slightly naughty I closed the door firmly behind me; then...silence, sheer and utter silence. My senses were going out of control; the smell of the spanish cedar, the colors of the cigars and their bands in the dull yellow light, the slight buzz of the humidifier and the slightly visible mist settling on my skin; it was at this moment I knew I was in love! I looked at every cigar at least a dozen times, they all looked so valiant and structured; like soldiers marching into battle. The right one, I had to pick the right one...but how, I knew nothing about cigars, only that I really wanted to smoke a lot of them! Then out of the mist she called to me from the top shelf, being only 4'10'' at the time made it impossible to get a good look at it. All I could read was "principe" and "natural", but I knew this was the one! I climbed up on the shelves, reached into the box and selected my first cigar. I looked it over carefully and smelled it, sweet and sharp; it just felt right! Reluctant to leave yet excited to smoke, I headed out to pay for the "Padron Anniversary 1964, principe natural". I sat my cigar gently on the counter; before I knew it she had it rung up to $4.00 and in a bag with matches and a cutter....for FREE!! Overcome with joy I raced home where I called my best friend to "meet me in the back yard"; it was crunch time, I only had a few hours until my mother was going to be home! Ten minutes later there we were in the back yard on a bench swing, both holding our cigars! I lit it with two matches and watched the first puff of blue smoke dance into the atmosphere! Engulfed in the task of lighting the cigar I hadn't yet tasted it; but before I could regain normal thought, there was an ever so faint taste of coffee with a hint of spice. As I puffed away it grew more and more complex and began to open up to a family of different tastes and aromas. I had forgotten about my friend (who wouldn't stop spitting after every puff), but given the circumstances....I didn't really care much! 30, 40, 50 minutes later I was still smoking away until I enjoyed every last second. With a heavy heart I realized, all good things must come to an end; I peeled off the band and shoved it into my pocket so I could look at it and remember this oh so perfect experience! Satisfied beyond anything previous in my short life I walked into the house and up to my room to wallow in my new found love affair. "Tomorrow", I though to myself, "tomorrow, I will have another".
This was my first cigar experience and to say the least "you had me at Padron"!
