A Valentine Gift
"Jenny, did you find it?"
"Yeah, Mommy had it in the cedar chest." Jenny held up the tablecloth. "Be
careful with it,Uncle Johnny. Mommy would have a fit if something happened to
it."
"Don't worry." With a flick of his wrist the tablecloth billowed out then slowly
drifted over the table. "Beautiful!"
"I've got the plates, Uncle Johnny." Chris walked slowly, watching for anything
that could cause a misstep. "Mom is going to flip when she sees we touched her
good china."
"Chris, just trust your Uncle Johnny, your Mom isn't going to care when she sees
what we've done." Johnny checked his watch. "Two hours to go."
The next two hours were filled with creating a special homecoming for Roy and
JoAnne.
"Oh Roy, today was wonderful," Jo cooed hanging onto Roy's arm as they walked up
to the front door of their home.
"Hey, what's this?" Roy reached for the note hanging on the door. He read it
aloud.
Roy, JO
Thought the day shouldn't end. So, I've taken the kids to my house for the
night. The kids left a little surprise for you on the back deck.
Johnny.
Roy and JoAnne looked at each other and shrugged.
"A night alone. Haven't had one of those in a long time," Roy said as Jo pasted
him, walking into the house. Then Roy patted Jo's butt.
"Mr. DeSoto, behave yourself," Jo giggled then licked her lips.
Roy dashed into the house chasing his wife as she took off to the back deck.
"OH Roy--Loook what they've done."
Roy and Jo stood looking out at their back deck. Roy opened the sliding door and
they stepped out.
Chinese lanterns were draped along the railings. Their simple picnic table was
set with Jo's best tablecloth. The china and glasses sparkled in the light of
the lanterns. Their next to the table was a simple beach bucket with a bottle of
champagne chilling in it.
In the center of the table was a bouquet of balloons held in place by a vase
with red roses.
"Look another note," Jo said taking the note. "Look in the grill for your
dinner."
Together they walked over and lifted the grill top.
"Wonder what it is?" Roy asked seeing two bundles of aluminum foil. "Let's
take'm to the table."
As Roy began to pop the cork on the champagne he heard Jo gasp.
"Roy, they're lobsters." Jo's voice cracked and tears came to her eyes. "Oh, Roy
this is wonderful. You didn't need to do all this too."
"I wish I could take credit. But I can't."
"Oh God, Johnny and the kids. Roy this must have cost him a fortune."
Roy finished with the cork and poured the champagne. "I think it has something
to do with something he said the other day."
"What?"
"Johnny mentioned how he always tried to do something special for his parent's
on Valentine's Day. When I asked him why--he just said--'It was their love that
got me here, so I figured I should help them celebrate it.' "
"So, now he's teaching that to our kids." Jo wrapped her arms around her
husband. "Now, just how can we affirm this love--hose jockey."
Roy put the champagne down and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Gee have to
think for a minute." Roy's face broke out in a huge grin.
Jo felt herself being picked up and she gave a little scream.
"Grab the champagne," Roy instructed and Jo did.
"So, my big strong fireman, which room do we start in?" Jo said taking a little
bite out of his ear.
"It won't matter, because by the time the morning comes there won't be one room
left unscathed."
Jo kicked her legs slightly, threw her head back and laughed as Roy charged into
the house.
