Did anyone see the Super Bowl last night? I don't know how you feel about the Patriots but they played a phenomenal game last night. Oh well, better luck next time Falcons. Hope you enjoy this story.
I do not own.
Rombauer sat in the driver seat of a Green Fist jeep. Lansky sat next to him furiously typing into his phone.
"Whatcha doing, buddy?" Rombauer asked glancing briefly at him.
"Looking for a present for Janet for Valentine's Day." Lansky replied without looking up.
"Valentine's Day? That's just a rip off holiday." Rombauer scoffed.
"Yeah, but you know if you don't get a present you'll look like a complete schmuck." Lansky said.
"True, true." Rombauer agreed. "So what are you getting her?"
"I dunno know. It's between the Heart Surprise Roses or the Sweet Surprises Bouquet." Lansky said.
"What's the surprise?" Rombauer asked.
"The price tag." Lansky answered. "It's the same amount as my monthly gym membership."
"Hmph, you know, everyone's giving flowers. That's why they jack up the prices… Wait you go to the gym? Since when?" Rombauer looked at his partner.
"Since I made that new year's resolution." Lansky replied. "And we were talking about flowers, right?"
"Right, right, sorry. Anyway, everyone gives flowers. You should consider giving her something… different." Rombauer suggested.
"Like what?" Lansky questioned.
"I dunno. What do chicks like?" Rombauer was talking more to himself.
"To be right all the time, to have the last word, to…" Lansky listed.
"No, no, no. I mean gift-like things." Rombauer corrected himself.
"You mean something I can buy." Lansky clarified.
"Not necessarily buy. Maybe you can make her something. It's thoughtful and all that crap." Rombauer said.
"I don't know how to make stuff. I suck at arts and craft. Remember the dream catcher in 5th grade summer camp?" Lansky told him.
"Oh yeah, I didn't know those things can spontaneously combust like that." Rombauer nodded.
"And it's good-bye Janet if I make her something that blows up in her face." Lansky said fretfully.
"Well, don't make anything that blows up." He said as if that was the most obvious thing.
"I wasn't planning on making anything." His friend stated.
"You should. Do something easy. Make a card." Rombauer said.
"Nah, remember 3rd grade when I glued my hands together?" Lansky stroked his chin.
"How did you glue your hands making a card?" Rombauer asked.
"Oh, that's easy, I was trying to make a pop-up card…" Lansky explained.
"Ah, say no more." Rombauer agreed. "How about candy?"
"Food poisoning in 7th grade."
"Sewing a heart pillow?"
"Sewed my sleeve to my pants."
"Picture frame?"
"I blinded myself with glitter."
"Soap?"
"Are you kidding? She might think I'm saying she stinks or something!" Lansky shook his head. "I think I better stick with buying something."
"Fine, but buy something different." Rombauer.
"Like what?" Lansky wondered.
"I don't know. She's your girlfriend." Rombauer said exasperated.
"Well, I'm getting her flowers, then." Lansky said matter-of-factly.
"That's not different!" He shouted.
"No need to yell. I'm right here." Lansky reminded him.
"Sorry, sorry, you're right." Rombauer took a deep breath.
They both sat silently for a few minutes.
"Hey, I need some gas." Rombauer pulled into a gas station.
"Sure, I need to use the little boy's room, anyway." Lansky leapt out of the jeep.
Rombauer began fueling up. He hummed to himself as he watched the numbers changed on the gas pump. As soon as he felt the familiar click indicating that the tank was full, he placed the nozzle back. Looking up he say Lansky walking back with a big grin.
"That must be some bathroom break." Rombauer remarked.
"Look what I got." Lansky pulled a rolled up piece of paper from behind his back.
"You got her toilet paper?" He asked.
"What? No!" Lansky unrolled it. It was a mini-poster.
"Yeah, I don't get it." Rombauer scratched his head.
"It's the poster from our first date." Lansky carefully rolled the small poster back. "She loved that movie and what's-his-name."
Rombauer shrugged. They both got back into the jeep. When they finally got back to base, Lansky got out of the jeep.
"Gotta call Janet." He yelled back.
Rombauer shook his head. "Poor, clueless sap. She's gonna dump him for sure." He muttered.
0o0
"Oh, I love it!" Janet squealed when she ripped open the wrapping paper.
"Yeah? I was worried. Rombauer said…" Lansky began.
"Does Rombauer even have a girlfriend?" Janet asked.
"Um, no…" Lansky said thoughtfully.
"Well, then don't worry about what he says. I love it. It's… so thoughtful. That was a great first date." Janet smiled.
"It was. And the sequel's playing down the block. I got tickets." Lansky held up two pieces of paper.
"Oh that's great! Let's go." Janet grabbed her purse. They walked hand in hand to the theater.