The Valentine’s Day Challenge

 “I am not looking forward to another lonely Valentine’s Day. I don’t know what the problem is with men these days. They’re so narcissistic. Everything is about them. Why can’t they see that next to Jesus, who better to focus on than me and my beautiful self?”

Robin rolled her eyes as she held the phone. “You don’t have to be alone, Miss Black America. I invited you to join me and my Women’s Ministry for our event at the shelter. We always have a great time with the ladies and kids.”

“Seriously cuz, you know I respect your faith and all, but I am not going to be found at a dirty shelter on Valentine’s Day! No offense to the women there, but I can definitely do better.”

Robin ignored her vain cousin, who could be incredibly insensitive at times. She understood that you don’t get to choose your family. Despite Jill’s egotism, Robin believed that somewhere within that bling-crusted heart of hers, kindness and selflessness were longing to orchestrate a prison break.

Robin always saw herself as more of a big sister to Jill than a cousin. Many nights, when they were younger, Robin held little Jill as she cried herself to sleep after her devoted mother passed away when she was eight years old. Jill’s happy, secure world was shattered, forever.

“This year, we’re putting together a Valentine’s Day Gift Basket for every woman. It’ll have champagne-scented shower gel, gourmet strawberries dipped in chocolate, and more. And check this out, we’re bringing in several massage therapists to give the ladies complimentary 20-minute massages.

“Now I’m down for that. It’s been a month since I’ve had a good massage. I can definitely use one,” she added, rolling her neck in a circular motion around her shoulders. “Ooh, and you know I love me some champagne-scented anything. I may have to give this a second thought.”

“Those gifts are not for the volunteers, Doofus. They’re for the ladies. Lord knows that after all they’ve been through, they deserve that and more.”

Robin remained quiet for a few seconds. Her pause was so long that Jill thought the call had dropped.

“Cuz, are you there?”

“I’m here. I’m here,” she said as if her thoughts were caught between the second and third heavens. “I have an idea. Are you up for a challenge?”

“A challenge? What kind of challenge?”

“Let’s call it a “Valentine’s Day Challenge.” Here’s what I have in mind. If you join me at the shelter on Valentine’s Day, I’ll treat you to a luxurious spa day at… what’s the name of that spa place where you worship?”

“Nicolette’s Body Heaven,” she squealed, her body reverberating with pure delight. “Don’t ever forget that name. It’s legendary!”

“Whatever J. As I was saying, I’ll treat you to a spa day, and this will be your birthday and Christmas gift for the next two years because I’m not rich like you. Here are my ground rules, and they are not negotiable,” Robin stated firmly.

#1 Show up on time. Fashionably late will not be accepted, and you must stay the entire time.

#2 No talking about yourself. I know this will take a tremendous amount of restraint, but this event is about the women and their children.

#3 No complaining. Nobody cares if your $300 nails chip.

#4 No yacking or texting on your cell.

#5 You must be 100% engaged. No sidelining it.

“Agreed, Counselor?”

“Agreed, Your Honor. Challenge accepted.”

The day of the event arrived, and Jill showed up looking like a rising celebrity. She made her grand entrance sporting winter sunglasses, a fur jacket, a $400 pair of 6-inch fire red stiletto heels, skinny jeans, and a gabardine sweater. To top off her already over-the-top ensemble, she carried a handcrafted purse with the words, “I Am Everything” etched on each side.   

Robin and every person who beheld Jill’s narcissism on display were shocked. Their mouths hung open wide like the Grand Canyon. Oh. My. God. Robin thought to herself. Lord, please forgive me. This was a bad idea. And please forgive her for she knows not what she does.

Robin rushed over to her clueless cousin before the ladies of New Life Ministries could break out with their anointing oil and start an impromptu deliverance service. She grabbed Jill with one hand and an apron from a nearby table with the other, then dragged Jill into the kitchen.

“Ms. Jean, this is my cousin Jill. She’s all yours for the rest of the day, and I do mean the rest of the day!” Robin took off like a summer breeze, intent on cooling things off with the New Life Crew.

Ms. Jean, the head cook at the shelter, was a no-nonsense woman who had seen and been through a lot in her lifetime. She took one look at Jill, threw her head back in a grinding laugh, and said, “This is going to be real interesting. There’s a knife over there and veggies over there. Get to chopping, baby.” 

Two hours into the meal prep marathon, Jill’s feet were begging for mercy. She needed a break from the heavy gaze of the Warden, Ms. Jean. “I’m going to the restroom, Warden. Oops, I mean Ms. Jean.”

Ms. Jean, unfazed by her slip of the tongue, kept basting the golden Cornish hens.  

As Jill turned the corner near the restroom, she saw the cutest little chocolate drop of a girl, all dressed up in her lavender tea party attire but sitting alone and looking very sad.

Jill limped past her, but something was drawing her to Little Lonesome. She turned around, stepped cautiously toward her, and asked, “May I sit with you?”

The little girl didn’t respond. Jill sat next to her anyway.

“My name is Jill. What’s your name?”

“Diamond,” Little Lonesome’s small voice replied.

“Diamond, I love your pearls and dress, and your tiara is beautiful. It reminds me of the one I wore when I was homecoming queen. Why are you so sad?”

“I want to go home. I miss my daddy and Edgar. But we can’t go back home because daddy hurt mommy a lot. I didn’t like it when daddy hurt mommy.

Oh boy, why did I sit down? God, get me out of here! I’m in way over my head. I don’t know what to say to this sad little girl. Breathe Jill, breathe. She took a few seconds to calm her panicked soul when the thought occurred to her to ask Diamond about Edgar.

“Um, who’s Edgar?”

“He’s my pet bunny. Daddy gave him to me for my birthday. Mommy said we couldn’t bring him, so we left him.”

“That sucks, Diamond. I’m so sorry.” I have a small dog, a Chihuahua named Cosmo, and I don’t know what I’d do if I had to leave her and couldn’t see her again.” Feeling more at ease, Jill asked, “What was Edgar like?” She thought she saw a little spark emerging in Diamond’s eyes when she asked her about Edgar.  

“He was brown and white, and he hopped everywhere except the kitchen. Mommy wouldn’t let him in the kitchen, and his favorite food was zucchini, and he loved to play with apple sticks, and, and he was my best friend.”

The gravity of this little Diamond’s situation hit Jill hard. She lost her home, her daddy, and her best friend all in one day. Her life was going to be much different now.  

“Wow Diamond. I have to be honest. I don’t really know what to say to that. I’m not good at this kind of stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?” Diamond asked.

“Talking to people like you. Kids. Kids who are living in a shelter.”

Diamond looked at her with a mixture of confusion and pity. “Kids are people. Talk to us like we’re people. You’re doing a good job, Ms. Jill.”

“Aww, thank you. You’re a very special princess, Diamond. I’ll bet Edgar misses you as much as you miss him.”

With that, Diamond wrapped her petite arms around Jill’s neck and hung on tightly, catching Jill off guard.

“Woe, what’s that for?” Jill asked as she slowly returned Diamond’s hug, softly squeezing her miniature frame.

“I think you need a hug,” Diamond said. She held on a little longer then released Jill’s neck, gently kissed her cheek, and took off like a spirited angel heading to their next assignment.

Jill sat there stunned and silent, soaking in the warmth and kindness her precocious friend left behind.

Robin, who secretly witnessed the entire exchange, sat solemnly next to her. She put her arm around Jill’s shoulder and pulled her in close, their heads leaning against each other as if honoring the moment. The salty tears flowed freely, not just from Jill’s eyes but mainly from her distant heart.  

 The End

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