By: Gena
“Valentine’s Day is the white man’s holiday—-just another hook to force America’s most loyal consumers, black people, to spend unnecessary money on nothing.”
Gena swore by this statement. This was a form of self-prep she used to face the cruel world, filled with fucked up fantasies and illusions on love and happiness. Unfortunately, she spent all 25 years of her life, comfortable with the fact that her mother is still and will ever be her only “Valentine.”
Gena entered the room to a few of her friends babbling about their men and the plans they had for the 14th. It was the first time in many years that Valentine’s Day fell on the weekend. Being the bitter bitch that many counted on her to be, she said, “Here we go….making plans for another meaningless holiday.” Her friends kept talking while rolling their eyes at each other at the very vein of her existence, fucking up the moment. They continued to talk.
“Well anyway— I think I’m going to keep it simple, and just cook his favorite meal and have sex,” friend #2 said. They all laughed. “You know men like it simple anyway.” They all shook their heads in agreement. Bitterness left Gena on the sidelines of the conversation, yearning for a situation that would help her to feel included.She decided to take on the male’s perspective.
She decided to pull up a chair and insert herself into the conversation, full of thirst. Her friends collectively stared at her and said, “What now?” Gena laughed. “Bitch you always got something to say. You are talking to Chris— y’all ain’t plan nothing?”
Gena said, “What does Chris have to do with anything— we’re not hype as fuck like y’all. Plus we’re not there yet.”
“Ummm hmm,” the girls hissed at her. Gena stepped away from the conversation, thinking about the last few events she exchanged with Chris.
They had spoken on this very topic earlier at the end of January about his thoughts on Valentine’s Day. He said, “I mean that holiday is really for women— I don’t care if I celebrate or not.”
“Okay I was just asking,” she stated. He said, “I mean— you want to celebrate or something? Does this mean we’re dating?”
That was the question that got Gena stuck. She had no clue how to answer. She immediately ran into her safety saying her disclaimer to him. He laughed—“ You sound lonely as fuck lol,” he said. “How?, “ she asked. “Answer this—if I planned something for you and told you to be ready, would you come?,” he asked. She paused and smiled. “Exactly!,” he answered in reassurance of his point being made. “Women who say they don’t believe in Valentine’s Day don’t have an actual valentine or never had one.”
Gena laughed it off in total embarrassment. She decided to take the humble approach. “I mean we have been talking for a minute and if we did hang out, and it happened to be for Valentine’s Day, would that make you uncomfortable? I know we’re not in love or anything but..” Chris interrupted. “I mean like I said, it’s for women, and we can hang out if you want to.” The little lonely women inside of her got so excited, it felt like she peed her pants. He just raised the heat in the room.
“I mean it could be cool. I mean we can keep it traditional I suppose and you can plan whatever you want,” she said.
Chris just answered, “I mean we just hanging out so I’ll think of something and let you know.” She left it at that.
10 days had passed and no reassurance that V-Day plans were in the making or not. Gena was gearing up for a regular sex cap and contemplating whether she should bring it up. He came over and beat her to the punch.
“So umm, I know you don’t like surprises, so here is the plan…….. I figured we go to dinner first and then to this Artist showcase. I rented a hotel room and figured we can just relax after everything.”
She smiled, hype as shit and reneging on her entire declaration about Valentine’s Day, allowing this man to spend his hard-earned money on a plot set up by white people lol. “I’m so full of shit,” she thought to herself. “Sounds like a plan.”
She scheduled a wax appointment 2 days before, bought a dress and had everything ready for the holiday. It’s so cute that Valentine’s Day fell on a Saturday this year— she thought to herself. It was Thursday night and she texted him to clarify the time of the dinner reservation. He answered “Be ready by 6pm, tomorrow.” She thought it was a typo and sent a smiley face and said, “okkkkkkk.”
The next day, she scheduled her hair appointment around 5pm. As she was heading to the salon, Chris texted her and asked, “I know you hype as shit, right?”
She replied, “LOL—kinda. Sike I am.”
He replied, “Please be ready at 6, you know you move slow.”
She responded, “I know— I don’t need a reminder 24 hours in advance, Chris”
He responded, “ What you mean?”
She texted, “I don’t need an entire day in advance notice.”
He responded in ALL CAPS, “IT’S TODAY!!!!!!”
She was confused and called him right away. “What the fuck you mean it’s today— Valentine’s Day is tomorrow,” she asked him.
“I told you Friday when we texted the other day. What’s the difference between today and tomorrow. We hanging out right?” She was embarrassed and silent on the phone. He said, “hello”. She couldn’t speak. All of this preparation for nothing she thought. She hung up the phone, so aggravated and frustrated. She said fuck it something was better than nothing.
She texted him, “I’ll be ready in 20 mins.” They went on the date watching the world prep for what seemed like the biggest display of love on earth day. She was pissed. The next morning— they’re checking out of the hotel as happy couples were checking in, excited and happy ‘n shit. It was Valentine’s Day. She got dropped off at home. He gave her a kiss. She smiled and got out the car feeling like the world’s most idiotic side chick in the world. She walks in on her friends discussing their plans. Ends scene.
Poundcake Proverbs 