31 Days of Imperfection

02

write a scene involving a simple item that triggers a memory

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"ellery?" the machine sounded, and a voice rang through the house.

"ellery, pick up."

"no," i murmured, and turned a page of my book.

"ellery, for god sakes, i know you're there. pick up the damn phone!"

"no," i said again, turning another page.

this went on for several more seconds, then the phone hung up on him. but unfortunately, james was as  stubborn as an ass. donkey, sorry, a donkey. james was stubborn as a donkey. and i, patient as a horse.

so yes, he kept calling, and saying my name, and cursing, and becoming more and more frustrated.

but i just said no, and read on.

eventually, it did end though. he gave up, and i read in silence.

minutes later though, i looked up at the fireplace. why, i don't know. i thought i was patient and unwilling, but i looked up.

and then i, ellery rainbolt, am sad to inform you, that i cried.

"el, you can't not say yes, okay," she muttered, flipping through a magazine with a half-naked christina aguilera on the cover.

"how can i not say yes, bel. i've only known him for four months."

"but it has been the best four months of your life, hasn't it?"  

it has. 

so the tears tumbled down my face and sobs broke through the air.

because there was an empty satin blue box sitting on the mantle, and it had no ring, and neither did my finger.

"will you marry me, ellery cath rainbolt?"

and in the last fleeting moments of love mingling with tears, i mumbled, "i don't know."

because i didn't and i still don't.