David planned to utilize all the home training that Dorcas and Kenneth Andersen had taught him when he accepted Valerie’s mother’s dinner invitation.
Always take a gift, his mother had reinforced.
“The gift” wasn’t that simple as he detoured off the highway not far from his destination and walked into the local grocery store.
Most people brought a bottle of wine, but as Christians, his family’s choice of beverage was a bottle of sparkling juice.
Standing in the juice aisle, David was indecisive before selecting two flavors, then he headed to the florist department for a bouquet.
David was almost to the checkout line when he thought about dessert.
Considering the Dierbergs store chain was known for carrying Tippin’s Pies, he detoured to that aisle and picked up a pecan and an apple pie. “Should have gotten a cart,” he grumbled.
Juggling his purchases, David stood in line and chuckled, thinking about his older brother meeting his future wife in a checkout line. As he inched closer to the clerk, his mind wandered.
He chided himself for not pursuing dates that included celebrating Valentine’s Day, yet if it hadn’t been for that day, he might not have had that up close and personal time with Valerie. So he was a happy man.
Truth is stranger than fiction. His mind was still on Valerie as he loaded his items on the conveyor belt. When he glanced up to greet the checker, David came face-to-face with the first woman who helped him craft his no-first-date-on-February-14th policy—Karla.
It had been three years and the memories of her biting words still remained. David had loved her—truly—despite the word from friends that she was a gold-digger and would do anything for money and status. Even act like she was a saint of God.
“I was expecting a ring,” she boldly informed him after she opened her gifts on Valentine’s Day. “I spent a lot of money for tonight. And you bought me a tennis bracelet?” Karla had laughed in his face. “I’ve received better.”
That had done it for him. David had asked for the check, dropped Karla off at her door and cut off all communication with her, including changing his cell number. None of her apologies could make him go back. That had been a low period in his life.
“David?” She seemed just as surprised to see him.
He nodded.
Once the awkwardness had worn off, Karla fumbled as she scanned his items at the register. “Looks like you’re celebrating.”
“Yep.” David watched her every movement as more memories flooded his senses about why he thought she was the one he would spend the rest of his life with.
“I see you’re still not married,” Karla said with a dimpled smile.
David whipped out his credit card to pay for his purchases while she bagged his items. “I see you are. Congratulations.”
Scooping up the bags with one hand, he carefully carried the bouquet with the other.
Judging from her bulging stomach, Karla was also pregnant. He couldn’t help but wonder which came first. Shaking his head, David felt pity for her husband.
The woman who had once stolen his heart hadn’t loved the Lord with all her heart. Karla wanted a husband—churched, unchurched, Black or White—by any means necessary.
One thing was for sure, David’s wife would not be working while pregnant on a job that required her to stand on her feet for most of her shift. Back in his SUV, David closed his eyes and rested his head on the headrest.
“Lord, thank You for giving me Valerie.” Refusing to allow the sight of Karla to spoil his evening, David cleared his head and switched his satellite radio to the gospel station.
Whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, lovely, of a good report. If there is any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things…think on these things…think on these things, the Lord whispered Philippians 4:8 until the air was still.
David grinned. “Thank You, Jesus for comforting my soul.”
As he drove to the address Valerie had given him for her mother’s house, David’s mind couldn’t help but do a comparison.
Physically both women were beautiful, but Valerie had that extra something that made her stand out. Maybe it was her smile, or her beauty mole, or the smoothness of her skin.
Her makeup was at a minimum or unnecessary. Karla had been as fake as her personality, from her lashes to her attitude.
He grunted. There really was no comparison if he wanted a godly woman. Still it was unsettling to see remnants of his past when he was about to take a leap of faith into the future. Soon, David arrived in a gated community of single-family bungalows mixed with townhouses.
Its entrance was unmanned, so he drove through. Gathering his gifts, he got out and balanced the bags with the flowers.
On the short pathway to the front door, he spied Valerie’s car.
David got a whiff of whatever they were cooking behind closed doors as he was about to knock. Valerie opened the door, casually dressed with house slippers topping off her look.
In other words, she appeared comfortable.
Her bright smile greeted him before he shifted everything in one hand to give her a hug. When she stepped back, he handed her the flowers.
“These are for your mother.”
“She’ll like that.”
As if on cue, Helen Hart strolled into the room. She still possessed the same air of sophistication as she did at the center without the color coordination of her outfit.
“Why thank you, Brother David. Come in,” his host said.
David did and planted a kiss on her cheek. “It’s good to see you again.”
Helen blushed, which caused Valerie to shake her head as she took his hat and coat.
Since he had already met her mother, David felt relaxed until the three of them gathered around the table.
“As our guest, do you mind blessing the food?” Helen requested and David did.
A few mouthfuls into his collard greens, the interrogations began as if she had never seen him before. It started off with where he worked, then progressed to whether he had ever been married.
“Did Valerie tell you she was supposed to be a Valentine’s Day baby?” Helen laughed.
“No.”
“She came a week early. My late husband thought he was about to have two Valentines.” Helen paused. “If Valerie’s daddy was here, he would ask you what’s so special about his little girl, and you’d better have the right answer.”
“Yes, ma’am.” David held his own. “She loves God and hasn’t put anything, including me, before Him.” He reached for Valerie’s hand, and she didn’t hesitate to rest hers in his. “I’m starting to get a new appreciation for Valentine’s Day.”
“Me too,” she whispered.
At that moment, it seemed as if their hearts became as one. The rest of the evening became a blur.