Valentine's Day 2009

Gold Bracelet Picked Up At Pharmacy

February 11, 2009 | Issue 45•07

ORO VALLEY, AZ—After spending a full minute holding the bracelet next to a small white bear hugging a jar of Hershey's kisses, James Mendez ultimately selected the $9.89 Rite Aid jewelry item as a Valentine's Day gift for wife Sheila Mendez on Friday. Although he originally entered the drug store to buy saline solution, the 46-year-old bank manager was reminded of the fast-approaching holiday by a display shelf of red and pink candy, and decided to treat his wife to the 14-karat yellow-tone rope-chain bracelet he spotted near the reading glasses. "We're going to be painting the basement tomorrow, so I probably won't get a chance to run out," said Mendez, who opted not to further decorate the gift after he was unable to find bows not sold in bulk. "What woman doesn't like gold?" At press time, it was not clear how the bracelet would affect Mrs. Mendez's plan to lie lifelessly through the couple's semiannual lovemaking session.