“I don’t know.” I shrugged my shoulders as I took a forkful of loaded mashed potatoes and put it in my mouth.
“What do you want to do for Valentine’s Day this year?” My husband Steven asked as we sat at the table eating dinner with our son Alex.
“Do you want to go out to dinner?” he asked.
I shook my head and finished swallowing. “Isn’t it on a Tuesday this year?”
Alex joined in the conversation. “Yup.” Then pointed to the salt shaker. “Can you pass the salt please?”
I handed him the shaker. “I’d rather just cook.” I stabbed a piece of chicken with my fork. “How about something in a red sauce in honor of Valentine’s Day?” I asked as I popped the piece of chicken in my mouth.
“Sounds good to me!” Alex said. “What about ravioli?”
“So you don’t want to go out to dinner.” Steven said as he reached for the bowl of loaded mashed potatoes. “What about flowers?”
I had to laugh. “Are you kidding?” I took my napkin off my lap and wiped my mouth. “First, both of you are allergic to most flowers.”
I looked over at Alex who shrugged his shoulders. “That’s true.”
“And second, they’re triple the price they normally are because it’s Valentine’s Day!”
“Okay, that’s true.” Steven agreed. “So, you’re cooking dinner and that’s how we’re going to celebrate this year?”
“Well…” I held up my hand. “I didn’t say that’s all we can do.”
Steven started to laugh. “I had a feeling. So what do you want for Valentine’s Day?”
“A card would be nice.”
Steven shook his head and looked surprised. “That’s a given. I get you a card every year.”
“I know.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Just double checking.”
“So what else are you thinking about?” Steven put the serving bowl down and picked up the salt shaker.
“Well…” I thought for a minute.
“Are you looking for jewelry?”
“No.” I sat and thought a minute. “Maybe a small box of chocolates?”
Alex looked over at Steven. “Already got that one covered!”
“Hey!” I looked over at Alex. “You just spoiled the surprise!”
Alex shook his head. “I didn’t want you getting two boxes of chocolates.”
Steven looked across the table at me and smiled. “Somehow, I don’t think that’s going to bother your Mom.”
I couldn’t help but smile myself. “You know me so well.”
Slice of Life 