We sat sipping our coffee while nibbling on a pastry, enjoying the cozy comfort the book store offered. As a struggling newly married couple we had mastered the art of the cheep date and the book store was one of our regulars being close by and offering free entertainment - reading. Angie's mother was visiting so we invited her to come with us on our date night and were rewarded when she insisted on picking up the tab.
As far as mother-in-laws go I felt fortunate because I got a pretty good one. While rather large, Marie had a pleasant personality, always happy with a sweet smile and a ready laugh. My dad had counseled me to take a careful look at the mother of a perspective wife because, he claimed, that is what you'll get in the long run. Other than the fat part I was satisfied with what I saw.
After wandering the store for a while I found myself in the "Self Improvement" section. While having many interest I lacked practical experience so had found these books intriguing. How to make repairs around the house; how to keep the old car going; how to think and grow rich; how to grow a garden; how to reprogram my mind using self-talk; how to become a better lover. A book in that last category had caught my eye with the unusual title of "Cake Mix." The jacket featured a sketch of naked lovers in an embrace. I wanted to look the book over more but didn't want to be seen with it so I went down the aisle and took the cover jacket off of a cook book and placed it over my book then proceeded to where some couches were and began to get educated on how to please a woman!
No sooner had I begun to read then my mother-in-law came and sat beside me. When she noticed the book in my lap she began gushing about what a wonderful cookbook it was and how she wanted to get it for us. Try as I might I could not dissuade her and she took the book from me. When I saw Angie headed our way I was beginning to panic but finally convinced Marie to get it as a surprise for Angie's birthday which was three weeks away. With that she got up and made her way to the checkout before Angie could see what was happing.
Once we were back home, Marie presented the now gift wrapped book to Angie and told her to not open it until her birthday. Unable to keep a secret though, Marie then began one of those mother daughter lectures.
"You know Angie to keep a man satisfy it behooves a wife to continually develop her skills. A hungry man is a bear. Keep him full of your warm and delicious goodies and you'll both be happy. Follow these recipes and you'll change an ordinary day into something special. And don't be afraid to experiment either. Try your own variations and be open to suggestions. That keeps things interesting. Most of all, love what you're doing. This book has been such an inspiration to me I committed it to memory early in my marriage. I should have shared its secrets with you before now. If you ever have any questions don't hesitate to call, that's what mothers are for. I want to share my years of experience."
Then turning her attention to me Marie continued. "Jon, there is nothing more satisfying than to spend time with your wife baking a cake, sharing the simple pleasures of life. Slow down, take time to enjoy the experience of being together then savor the treats you make."
The next day Angie took her mother to the train station to see her off to home. It was my intention to buy a real cookbook as soon as the next payday came around. I was too late. When I got home I found Angie curled up on the couch reading her new book.
"Angie," I exclaimed, "You weren't suppose to open that until your birthday!"
"Mon was so animated about it," Angie replied, "I couldn't help myself. It's nothing like I expected though. It has the cover of a cookbook but it is all about making love. I guess she just found it too embarrassing to talk about these sorts of things so this is her way of helping me -- us."
Trying to act surprised I said, "It's not a cookbook?" "No, but it does liken making love to making a cake. I guess that is why the cookbook cover.
"Well," I said, feeling better about things given Angie mild reaction to the book, "I guess we had better memorize the book like your mother did so we can enjoy all those treats together."
"Uh," Angie sighed, "It is a big book. This is going to take some time to get through."
That is one of the sweet things I love about Angie. She is smart enough but can be so naive. I could sense this book mix-up was going to turn our all right.
"Say, pretty woman, how about getting a couple of $3 veggie burritos down at Taco Time? Can you put your book learning on hold for that long," I teased?
.........
Different Kinds of Cakes
There are different kinds of love. Angie's cookbook took some time to mention each. Friendship, parental, brotherly, and of course the intimate love of lovers. Making a lovers 'cake' was the focus of this book.
Angie would highlight in pink those words that caught her attention I highlighted in yellow.
Pink: A woman needs to feel appreciated, wanted and desirable.
Yellow: We can choose how we feel.
Pink: A long term relationship based on trust and fidelity allows lovers to express their deepest desires, leading to deep levels of erotic intimacy.
Yellow: When a man wants sex it is easy for him to put all other matters out of his mind. Not so with a woman.
Pink: People who have been married for some time have the most frequent and satisfying sex lives because of their deep emotional connection.
Yellow: Men think like a man because they are one. Appreciate them; don't try to change their manliness.
Pink: A woman needs romance. Be gentle, sweet, thoughtful, and don't forget the cards and flowers.
Yellow: If a man forgets, it doesn't mean he doesn't love you, it means he forgot.
Pink: A woman opens herself to intercourse when she feels loved.
