Love is Forever
Peggy could tell that Jill was upset by the way she hung up the phone. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, everything’s just great,” said Jill. “It’s turning out to be a crappy Valentine’s Day.”
“What happened?” asked Peggy.
“I’m not going to cry,” Jill told herself. Then she began to tell Peggy what was bothering her. “This is our first Valentine’s Day as husband and wife, and Mike has forgotten what day it is.”
“Why do you think that he has forgotten?” asked Peggy.
“When we got up this morning,” said Jill, “I made him a very nice breakfast, of all his favorites. While we ate, I kept waiting for him to give me a card, or a gift, or at least wish me a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Did you say anything to him about it?” asked Peggy.
“No,” said Jill. “I was waiting for him to say something first. But, when we both left the house, he kissed me like he does every morning, and that was it.”
“When he called him a few minutes ago, to see how his day was going, I was giving him a chance to redeem himself,” said Jill, “but, once again, he said nothing. I’m so mad at him for forgetting Valentine’s Day”
Peggy was very worried about Jill, and not just because it was her job as office manager. She was genuinely concerned about her. Peggy was fifty-six years old, with five grown children and several grandchildren. At twenty-three, Jill was younger than all of Peggy’s children.
“Jill, I think it’s time for a lunch break,” said Peggy. “How about joining me at my favorite restaurant? It will be my treat.”
“I brought my lunch today,” said Jill. “Can I take a rain check?”
“Your lunch will keep for another day,” said Peggy. “Please come with me. I don’t want to eat alone today.”
“Okay,” said Jill. “If you tell me how to get there, I’ll drive. We can take my car.”
“It’s such a nice day out,” said Peggy. “Let’s walk instead. It’s only ten minutes away.”
Jill wasn’t used to walking, since it was so much easier and faster to drive everywhere she needed to go, but she agreed to walk to the restaurant. Jill thought that she was in fairly good shape for her age, but she had a hard time keeping up with Peggy as the two of them walked to their destination.
When they arrived at the restaurant, the host opened the door for them and greeted them warmly. “Welcome, Ladies. We have your table ready. How are you today, Peggy?”
“Just great, Carl,” said Peggy.
As they walked into the restaurant, Jill was impressed with how elegant and beautifully decorated it was. After they were seated, they began looking at the menus.
“Order whatever you want,” said Peggy. “I mean it. Don’t even look at the prices.”
When the waiter arrived to take their orders, Jill said, “I would like the Fettuccini Alfredo, with a Caesar’s salad and a Coke, please.”