For the past five years, Valerie spent Valentine's Day alone. It wasn't for lack of trying. Five years ago, her boyfriend, Todd, broke her heart the week before the day set aside for lovers. She didn't leave her one-bedroom apartment that year. The next year, still being single, she pampered herself.
Flowers arrived at her desk promptly at 11, complete with an enclosed love-note. It left her coworkers wondering just who the mystery man could be that sent her flowers on Valentine's Day. They all knew she hadn't spoken about having a new man in her life. No matter how much pleading and prodding they did, Valerie kept silent about her mystery man.
By 3 that afternoon, she had the entire office building perplexed when she received a large package by messenger. It was wrapped in interlocking heart wrapping paper with a large white bow tied on the top. She took her time opening the large box to reveal a skimpy red teddy, panties and garter belts.
Her coworkers continued to ooh and ahh over this package and questioned Valerie about the sender of the gifts. She still kept silent. Just before she was set to leave for the day, one more messenger came to Valerie's desk and dropped off an envelope. Inside were not one but two tickets to see one of the local off-Broadway showsβsold out of course so none of her coworkers could try and sneak a peak at her man.
Little did any of them know Valerie sent herself each of the carefully orchestrated gifts. She did attend the show by herself that year and enjoyed the dayβignoring the fact that she again spent Valentine's Day by herself. Each year, she continued the tradition of flowers, gift, and tickets. One time she sent the tickets first, occasionally chocolates.
This year, again without a boyfriend on Valentine's Day, she began planning for her day in mid-January. She knew that it would just be a matter of time before any of her coworkers would find out her little secret. She debated over whether or not to call an escort service this year and have a man deliver her gifts but quickly discarded the notion.
Even though she continued to be burned in the love department, she was ever the hopeless romantic. Her last boyfriend, Bill, told her he needed space just before the Thanksgiving holiday and other than a few dates here and there she hadn't been seeing anyone.
By the first of February Valerie still hadn't come up with any new ideas of what she wanted to do for that day. She was growing tired of all her coworkers speculating over what she would be receiving February 14. She also began to doubt that true love existed.
"To hell with them," said Valerie to her cat, Fluffy, as she sipped on her glass of red wine. "I think this year will be different."
And it was. She arrived at worked dressed in black from head to toe. To complete her outfit she even wore a pillbox hat with a black veil. All her coworkers couldn't figure out what was wrong. What none of them knew was Valerie was tired of the charade. She was tired of trying to pretend she was happy on Valentine's Day. Today was a day of mourning for her. She mourned the loss of her romantic side.
Valerie heard the whispers and waited for someone to approach and ask if she lost someone near and dear to her heart. When no flowers or packages arrived for her at 11 as it had for three years prior, everyone assumed her mystery man died and she was in mourning.
Valerie decided she would leave the office at noon and go home. At five minutes till, flowers arrived at her desk. Her coworkers nodded and smiled. Valerie looked truly shocked. She knew she didn't send herself flowers this year and had no clue where they came from.
The bouquet was beautiful. It had red and pink carnations, yellow roses, orange daisies and enough baby's breath and greenery to balance it out.
With her hands shaking, she took the card from the envelope and read. "I HAVE ADMIRED YOU FOR GOING ON THREE YEAR. Its TIME CUPID PAID YOU A VISIT. HEAD HOME AND AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH OF A LOVER YOU ARE."
She read the card twice before taking the envelope from the bouquet and putting the card back inside and tucking it into her purse. She logged off her computer, grabbed her bouquet and told her secretary she would be taking the rest of the day off. On pins and needles, she rode the bus home. She had no clue whom could be sending her flowers.