The Ring

“Honey…” Her voice dripped with childish love, “Honey… do you wanna buy something for me.”

            “Why do I dread those words?”  Looking over his shoulder at Katie, who was bent down over a glass jewelry case.  “Those words never mean any good.”

            “Oh please?”  Katie turned around and gave Ocean her best puppy dogs eyes and pouty lips.  “Pwetty pwease…?  At least come look.”  With a reluctant sigh, Ocean walked over to the glass case in which she was prowling over.

            “That one, right there.”  She was pointing at a ring.  Platinum band, ¼ carat diamond inset, two types of buffing.  “I love it.  It is absolutely perfect.”  She looked up at him, then back down like an impatient cat expecting something in her bowl of food.

            Ocean looked down at the ring and agreed, it was one of the better-looking rings he’d ever seen.  But where would he get the money?

            “Would you like to try it on?” the customer care person asked.  “We are having a great sale!”  She said with a smile.  As Ocean watched, he could have sworn he saw her smile and give Katie a little wink when they thought he wasn’t watching.

            “Um…” Ocean stammered, “I don’t know if that’s such a good id…” But he was too late.  The ring had been pulled out of the counter and was being handed over to Katie.  In his head, he could just see a scene of him hitting the ring out of her hands, then grabbing her and running as if she put it on it would never come off.

            “Oooo…” She whispered as she took the ring into her hands.  Slowly slipping it over her finger, she shuddered as she realized how much this ring made her happy.  After putting it on, she looked up into Ocean’s eyes and, as tears rolled down her cheeks, said in an emotional voice, “I do.”  The air was sweet as they stood out in the garden in front of all their family and friends.  Ocean took her hands and she smiled warmly at him.

            “With the power vested in me, I pronounce you Husband and Wife.”  Katie smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks unchecked as Ocean leaned in and kissed her passionately.

            “Honey, what’s wrong?”  Katie heard Ocean say.  She opened her eyes with a start, and was staring straight at the customer care person.

            “I… uh… Oh.”  Katie looked back at Ocean and saw those beautiful eyes she saw in her dreams.  Then, smiling, handed the ring back to the care person.  “Thank you for your help.  Have a good day.”

            Taking Ocean’s hand they began walking through the mall again…