Valentine's Day Memories
Retirement had forced Mike to grieve. He had thought he was doing better until Valentine's crept up. Valentine's had always been his and Christine's day. No matter how much they were fighting, that one day of the year, they got along. Mike would buy her red roses-just a few, not a dozen per her request. His mom watched the kids so they had dinner and the night to themselves. She would cook the sides and he would do the steaks. They had cheesecake every year because it was the one dessert they could both agree on.
He had bought a half-dozen red roses and put them in the middle of the table. He fixed the steaks, baked potatoes, and a salad. He had red wine and a cheesecake that he bought at the store. But, as he looked at the empty chair across from his, he felt totally alone. He was just beginning to feel sorry for himself when the doorbell rang. Not expecting company, he was surprised but got up to answer it. He was also not expecting who was on the other side of his front door. A much older but just as beautiful Christine.
"Hey there, Stranger." Christine said.
"Is it really you?" Mike asked.
"It is. And its cold out here." Christine remarked. He blinked twice and then let her into his house.
"The girls?" Mike asked. He had a feeling of dread. Why hadn't she brought them with her?
"They are fine. At the hotel. They're safe. I would have brought them with me but I know how much you always enjoyed Valentine's just being us. If you want, we can go get them?" Christine said. For a moment, Mike thought about grabbing his coat and heading to the hotel, but as he looked at his beautiful wife, he decided to enjoy Valentine's with her.
"Well, I did fix dinner…although the cheesecake is boughten." Mike said.
"Oh, yeah?" Christine asked.
"Steak, baked potatoes and salad. Enough for the both of us. And red roses. I guess habit." Mike said.
"Sounds good." Christine said. She took her coat off and Mike put it in the closet. He started to lead her into the kitchen but stopped to hug her first. She felt so tiny in his arms. He was scared he might be hurting her so he leaned down and gave her a long kiss. He knew that wouldn't hurt her and she was accepting.
"I've missed you so much." Mike told her as they pulled apart.
"I've missed you too. Let's eat. I am hungry." Christine said.
"Do the girls have dinner?" Mike asked as he led her into his kitchen. He helped her sit before dishing up her dinner; glad he had fixed two steaks, two baked potatoes and plenty of salad.
"Yes. I ordered them a pizza. I just didn't eat any before I left for here." Christine answered.
"Good. Here you go." Mike said. He put the plate in front of her and then sit down across from her. He wondered when she ate last because she immediately picked her fork and knife up and began eating.
"It delicious." Christine said.
"I'm glad you like it. I wish I had bought you some sort of present though…" Mike remarked. He was still in shock.
"Mike; we never did that for Valentine's Day. This is totally sufficient. Although, you did all this for yourself?" Christine asked.
"I suppose I was missing you. Doing all this made me remember our other Valentine's Days." Mike said.
"Its nice." Christine answered. She reached across and squeezed his hand. Mike smiled at her knowing that his Valentine's Day would end much better than it had begun. And he would be able to create new Valentine's Day memories.