The Valentines Dilemma

Sarah Ferri was spending her day shopping at Fleur's, a fancy jewelry store. Around this time of year, they always decorated the rooms with giant wall sticker hearts, red and pink crepe paper over the cashier's red and pink painted desk, and stuffed teddy bears of all colors sitting in the windows.

"New decorations this year," Sarah said to the cashier as she bent down to look in the display case. The featured specials for today were heart charms, funky love beads, and pink and red earrings.

Miranda (the cashier) nodded. "Yes. Abigail ordered them from Quill Pierce."

"The man who owns Decors?" Sarah asked, sounding slightly surprised as she straightened up.

"That's the one."

"What's he doing creating Valentines furniture? Isn't that a little below him?" Sarah asked.

Miranda shrugged. "Maybe he got bored."

"But Valentine's Day?"

"What's so wrong with that?" Miranda asked curiously.

"I just don't get it," Sarah said. "I mean, look at all this stuff. I thought Valentine's Day was supposed to be about love, not stereotypical propaganda."

"Propaganda?"

Sarah nodded. "It's artificial. Decorations mean nothing to me. I don't even know what the meaning of the day is any more."

"You have a boyfriend, don't you?"

"Yes, but I don't think Joe would take any pleasure in explaining to a woman the value of Valentine's Day."

"There's no harm in trying."

"Maybe you're right," Sara shrugged.

*  *  *  *  *

"Hi hon," Joe said. "Did you have a nice day shopping?"

Sarah nodded. "Very. I got you something."

"Oh really?" Joe said, getting up.

"Yes."

Before she could even reach into the purse around her waist, Joe stepped up to her, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her.

This is what it's all about, Sarah thought.