BE MY VALENTINE

BE MY VALENTINE

Valentine's Day was fast approaching, and I was sure that my husband would appreciate the cake I was baking, especially for him. He had appreciated my cooking so much over the years that he had gained a good hundred pounds, and didn't even make an attempt to hide his bulging stomach. Gary just ate everything I put on the table, and usually looked for more!

I turned on the radio, hoping to hear some music, and instead got the local news. Another murder in town, a woman found knifed and raped. The psycho was still on the loose, but they were sure he'd be caught soon. In the meantime there were warnings to lock doors, and not open them to anyone unless you knew them. I shuddered and switched channels. Soon the kitchen was filled with a lilting refrain that brought back memories of the days when I had first fallen in love with Gary.

Of course Gary never remembered Valentine's Day himself, so busy with his own pleasures that it never occurred to him that I would like to be taken OUT to dinner, or would like to have flowers and chocolates. No, he would spend his free time at the local pub and come home either angry as a bear or give me sloppy wet kisses and scoot me upstairs for an "early night".

For awhile it didn't matter. He gained weight and I seemed to lose it. I tried to keep myself in shape, and tried to look as good as possible to preserve my own self-worth and dignity.

Just last week, I was surprised to hear whistles as I passed by the construction site down the street. It did my heart good, thinking that maybe I was not over the hill. I noticed a young man who kept smiling at me, and I smiled back. It wasn't long before we started talking, stealing an occasional kiss, and his arms around me were the nearest thing to Heaven I could imagine. Before the week was out, we had started an affair. I was his, and he was mine, this had to be forever. I couldn't face the future with Gary any longer when it was Steve who made me feel every inch a woman, and who kept saying he loved me. I spent every moment I could with him, making excuses to Gary for "errands" that I had to run.

Last night he called, and asked me out! I stammered that I was busy, when of course, I wasn't; but my heart beat faster and I couldn't wait to see him. I wondered, after I'd hung up the phone, what it would be like to be married to someone other than Gary. Someone who cared enough to call, who thought that perhaps I was worth trying for. I smiled to myself, and gave it no more thought, for Gary had burst through the door with his usual bleary-eyed expression. I steeled myself for his wet kiss, knowing what it would be like to be in Steve's arms, and wishing I was there.

My passion for Steve might have been noticeable if Gary hadn't been so drunk. My thoughts were of Steve as we made "love" that night. Even after he turned over and started snoring, I lay quietly awake, dreaming that Steve was beside me. I yearned for him to take me away from the horror of a life I had shared with Gary for so many years, so many long miserable years.

Valentine's Day was a farce. Gary got up late and hurried out the door. "See you tonight" he muttered, as he put on his hat and coat. The coat was old, and he looked about seven months pregnant in it. He had never worn the new blue coat I had bought him. He said it was "too fancy" for his taste. How he ever managed to hold a job was more than I knew, but he was a smart man, at one time, and seemed to be able to hold his job regardless of his drinking and slovenly appearance.

I had another cup of coffee and turned on the radio. Music soon filled the room, and my favorite request show was on. As I listened, the strains to "Loving You" played. The announcer spoke when the song was done, giving the dedication. "To Gladys, from Steve - who will always love you!" I couldn't believe my ears! Coffee spilled onto the table, and I grabbed a napkin to wipe it up. The phone rang, and I jumped getting up to answer it.

"Hello, sweetheart" Steve said. "Just wanted to know if you heard our song." Our song, indeed! I had never broadcast our relationship and wondered why he was doing so. I knew Gary never listened to the radio, much less music, so I wasn't worried about him hearing my name connected with Steve's. Yet if the neighbors heard it, they might start talking and that's all I needed, for them to mention it to Gary! I sighed as I thought about Steve. Maybe he was telepathic and knew my thoughts were full of him. He was always attentive, and loving. I couldn't imagine him in anyone else's arms! I couldn't lose him!

Steve asked me out again, and said he'd come by to pick me up. This time I said "Yes!" "I'll see you tonight, then" Steve whispered. My heart beat faster at the thought of him in my arms again. This was love, this is what it was all about!

I hung up the phone and cleared the table. Soon I had the dishes done and back in the cupboard. It was time to start the baking, and I got the cake mix out, along with the old mixing bowl and spoon. An old nursery rhyme was running though my mind, and I sang aloud "Hickory Dickory Dock, tonight's the night I fix your clock!"

The cake safely in the oven,I went up and took a bath, shampooed and curled my hair. It was going to be a special night, all right. Especially if the rat poison worked as advertised!

The day sped by, and soon it was time for Gary to come home. I was hoping he wouldn't be late again tonight, for supper was about done, and the cake was decorated with red frosting and white hearts, and I had written "BE MY VALENTINE" on the top. It was beautiful!

Gary made it home on time, wonder of wonders! He smiled when he came in, smelling the sweet aroma of fresh baked bread and pot roast. He saw the cake and laughed! "I bet you thought I'd forget you on Valentine's Day" he said. From behind his back he brought a bright red ribboned box of chocolates! The card on top was lacy and read "Be My Valentine, Dearest Wife"! There was no smell of drinking on his breath, and he went in and washed up for supper.

Gary never ceased to amaze me. I almost began to regret baking the rat poisoned cake! He finished supper and asked for desert, with a large glass of milk. I cut him a piece of cake and brought the milk to him. There was my true Gary, for he gobbled that piece down and asked for another. He took a large drink of milk. "The milk tastes funny" he said "almost as if it has started to go by". Another bite of cake and another drink of milk, followed by a loud burp, and he was done. He made it as far as into the bathroom before he dropped. In agony, he moaned, and I waited until he was silent before I went in, checked for a pulse and pronounced the deed done.

I went back to the kitchen and dumped the rest of the cake down the disposal. I cleared the table and sat back to wait for Steve. My eyes fell back onto the box of chocolates. I hadn't had chocolates for so long! Within seconds, I had the box opened and had eaten at least three when the doorbell rang.

I smoothed my hair and started for the door, when the first cramps started. By the time I had opened the door for Steve, I was almost too weak to stand. Steve would help me, I thought. If he loved me, he would help me. He stood there, strong and handsome, with a knife in his hand, and a glazed look in his eyes.

"Hi, Sweetheart" he said. I didn't even feel the knife as it pierced my heart.