Cup of Joe

Single or married I am sure that we have all *wished for a morning with breakfast in bed and a little pampering.

Once I wanted to have a coffee in bed, maybe a smoke with that. You know, not get up and stay all wrapped up in my warm blankets. Slowly pull out of my sweet slumber to a steamy cup of coffee/two cream and a white slender cigarette. The first one of the day is always the best, but unfortunately, this did not happen for me.

It was Valentines Day 2006. We were broke, down to our last pot of coffee, a couple of cake mixes, two slices of bread, one egg and some milk.
We had been living pay to pay for sometime. We would come up short mainly because at times, there was only one meagre salary to support four people, but I will talk about that another day.
Back to Valentines Day, or rather the eve before.
Looking over at my ‘boyfriend’ sitting in the living room on our ugly green love seat mindlessly flipping channels, I decided to make a cake.
I thought to myself, even if I don’t really feel like celebrating Valentines and can’t afford it anyways, It would be nice to make a small kind gesture.
After that little sub-conscious speech, I laughed aloud, rolled my eyes, and resolved that I was hungry anyhow. I started to mix and find pans and turn oven knobs.
After an hour and a half the cake was ready, Double Chocolate with chocolate icing.

Strangely, the aroma from the baking awoke an otherwise dormant being from the depths of his senseless distractions. At the same time, the phone rang and his twin brother was at the front door. Being the sociable person I am I invited him in, heated the coffee and served them the cake. I was proud that the cake actually turned out so well because I am not a connoisseur in baking.
Following many long hours of listening to their boring conversations about literally nothing, I chose to excuse myself politely because I was sleepy. His brother paid thanks, compliments and niceties as I made way to my room. It was late so it was not long after that my ‘boyfriend’ joined me. After being together 6 years, we were not in a hurried excitement anymore to be together, so we gave in to the arms of Morpheus one more time.

The next morning I woke up around five. It was cold so I ran to the bathroom and back to my warm bed quickly. Groggy still, I turned and saw that my Boyfriend was awake.
Not wanting to get up again, but so wanting that hot cup of Java with a smoke, I asked him to go into the kitchen and pour out a cup and heat it for me, please. A grumble and a turn was my response.
Angrily I jumped up and stormed out mumbling and stumbling. I said through a strained voice, ‘Happy Valentines Day’ as I hid my crying eyes under a cluster of hair that always falls to my face.

On Valentines Day 2006, I sat in my kitchen with my coffee and contemplated on when I was leaving him.

Being a single mom, I often *wish for breakfast in bed and a little pampering.
Remembering this failed relationship, I am happy to get my own cup of Joe.