It really wasn’t much of a fight because I don’t give a shit about Valentine’s Day. I actually got an invite from Joy to take her out for VD, and I declined. I do think I’ve gotten so accustomed to solitary life that I prefer it to the whole “dinner for two” routine. This is not to say I spent the day alone, far from it. Here’s how things went down.

As I mentioned yesterday, my mountain friend/masseuse came to the house to give me my monthly rubdown. Just before the massage reached its climax, I had a breathing attack. I reached for the inhaler I keep on the nightstand, but it didn’t seem to help much. So, I stumbled into the living room to fire up my nebulizer. I felt like I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen, but fortunately, after the first couple of puffs, I could breathe again—scary shit.

Annabelle, one of our female Hashers, asked me to come by Alley Cats yesterday to help her celebrate her 40th birthday. It’s been quite some time since my last visit there, so I figured, why not? Plus, one of my old favorites, Jerlyn, has returned to work after spending several months in the province. As is my custom, I baked up a batch of brownies for the birthday girl. When I arrived, Annabelle wasn’t there, and I was told she was visiting family in Bataan. Hmm, must have been a breakdown in communication somewhere. Oh, well. I gave the brownies to Jeryln as a welcome-back gift and enjoyed catching up with her some. Nancy joined us and told me I was missed in the bar and said, “we love you, John.” That was sweet and made me feel so good I bought another round of drinks.

I had the last of my pasalubong to give to my favorites at Alaska Club, including the carton of fresh strawberries Karen had requested, but the bar doesn’t open until six. So, I headed up the highway to Cheap Charlies to kill some time. I did bring along some chocolate candy (Kit Kat minis) and cookies for the girls there. Narissa gave me a smile and a friendly greeting, but she was busy with another customer. My regulars soon surrounded me, and we let the good times roll in the form of lady drinks and gin sodas.

I was looking forward to bringing my gifts to my Alaska friends, so off I went. Alas, when I arrived, my regular waitress informed me that both Karen and Virginia were not working. That was more than a little disappointing. I asked the waitress to store Karen’s strawberries in the fridge and left a Baguio magnet for Virginia. I gave the dancers some chocolates, paid my tab, and left.

Now what?

I decided to drop in at Wet Spot to finish my Valentine’s night. I bought my waitress a drink to start things off. Lyn, the young new dancer, was on stage when I arrived, and when her set was over, she joined me at my table. I handed out my last bags of candy and cookies, and then we all settled back to enjoy our drinks. Lyn snuggled up against me, and it felt so nice that I acted on impulse:

“Do you want to come home with me and snuggle like this all night?” She responded, “yes, but no boom-boom” (sex). I asked her how much, and she answered four thousand pesos. I agreed to her terms, and the deal was done.

I had not done a barfine for a couple of years, but it just felt like there was something special about Lyn. It’s probably because she’s new to the business. Back in my tourist days when I barfined regularly, I found that girls who had less than six months’ experience were more to my liking than the jaded long-term pros. Now, 4000P is way too much for a night with no boom-boom, but I didn’t care. Snuggling and cuddling can be just as satisfying, at least for me. And just in case you don’t know how this whole concept works, a barfine is, in reality, an early work release (EWR). The girl pays the bar a fine of 1000 pesos to leave work early; anything else is between her and the customer. I think most guys negotiate down to 3000 or less, but as I said, I didn’t care. I was just looking for some companionship.

And Lyn delivered. Well, she didn’t like the smoothie I made her when we got to my place, but once we hit the sack, I got what I wanted. Yeah, I’m a man, and I was half-drunk (or more), so I engaged in some petting which she tolerated, but when I started to go too far, she reiterated, “no boom-boom,” and of course, I respected her wishes in accordance with our prior arrangement. But while we slept, she held me close during the night, and it felt wonderful. Once, she rolled over and held my hand as she was sleeping. It was sweet. As is my habit, I woke up early and left the room to scour the internet. A bit later, she joined me and sat on my lap, then kissed me on the lips. Then she got up, washed the dishes, and went back to bed. A few minutes later, I joined her there, but my efforts at seduction were ignored.

Anyway, I didn’t have love or sex for Valentine’s, but I had someone at my side doing the kinds of things I’ve missed. Yeah, I got what I paid for, but if Lyn were feigning her affectionate ways, she qualifies for an Oscar. I’m not foolish enough to think this translates to any genuine feelings she may have for me; indeed, as I walked her out of the neighborhood this morning to catch a trike, I got a distinct impression that she was now off-duty and didn’t have to pretend to like me any longer. That’s just the way it works around here, and you are a fool if you believe otherwise.

I heard this song on my playlist as I hiked later this morning and smiled as I thought it could be sung by almost any bargirl in town:

That's what you get for lovin' me
That's what you get for lovin' me
Everything you had is gone, as you can see
That's what you get for lovin' me.

I ain't the kind to hang around
With any new love that I've found
Movin' is my stock in trade
I'm movin on
I won't think of you when I'm gone.

So don't you shed a tear for me
I ain't the love you thought I'd be
I've got a hundred more like you
so don't be blue
I'll have a thousand 'fore I'm through.

Now there you go you're crying again
Now there you go you're crying again
But then someday when your poor heart
is on the mend
I just might pass this way again

That's what you get for lovin' me
That's what you get for lovin' me
Everything you had is gone, as you can see
That's what you get for lovin' me.