A Twist of Things to Come

So, he gave me the Valentine's Day pressie. He had it wrapped in white tissue paper, with heart stickers and a bow, and a sweet little card besides.

This is odd because we don't usually do much for Valentine's Day. I used to joke that he's made my whole life Valentine's Day. Anyway, it was a long, narrow box, almost like the kind a fancy bit of jewelry comes in, but I knew it wasn't that. He's heard me rant about those commercials that try to tell you it's romantic to give someone the exact same diamond pendants everyone else buys. Besides that, we agree that diamonds are a complete racket, foisted upon a gullible public a consortium that is quite probably evil.

So. It was a lovely Waterman pen, in a shiny blood red. I loves it, I do. It may not sound so special, but it is. It's proof he really, really gets me. He knows exactly what I like, and what will push my buttons and make me melt.

He even gave me a felt slip case for it, so I can carry it in my purse without it getting scratched. Only I don't want to carry it my purse. That's how I lost my last nice pen.

***

We had a lovely dinner tonight at a Brazilian steakhouse with some friends. The kind of place where men wander around with different kinds of meat on swords and slice it off for you. I feel I might pop. They had this lovely rare fillet that was tender and bloody and seasoned perfectly. It was probably more expensive than it was worth, just based on the food, but there is a lot to be said for atmosphere and great company. Whenever Ben asked for a serving, he generally was given a portion double what the rest of us were given. And My Beloved kept turning my card over to indicate I wanted more. This was exceptionally cruel (and fun) because the serving men looked so disappointed when we passed on whatever they offered. I finally had to take up several cards and stick them under my water glass. He also made up fabulous lies about wall decorations, but none of us believed him because we know him too well.

I love my lover, and I love my friends. At least I'll still have the others when he's half a world away. But I still dread Wednesday.