Creative Writing Pieces

The Engagement

"Ted... are you even sure you want to marry this broad?"

I roll my eyes at Allen's question. "You shouldn't speak of my future wife that way," I murmur and run my hand through my lengthy black hair. Its soft texture calms me and I take a deep breath before saying, "Of course I want to marry her; she's the perfect woman." I brush my hand along the glass cases of diamond significances. They're all so bright and shiny.

"She doesn't even like Star Wars!"

I roll my eyes once more. "That's not the only thing that matters to me." I pause and exhale a long sigh before continuing. "She may not like Star Wars, but she does like coffee and rainy days and my stupid puns; she likes me – as far as I know, anyway." I chuckle at myself. "And I know she'll marry me."

"Don't be so egotistical, Teddy-Boy. She could die or leave you before you can even get down on one knee." His eyebrows furrow. "I'm just worried you're doing this too soon into your relationship."

I face him. "It's been two years, Allen." I turn back around and gawk at a silver band with a large stone embezzled into it. It's huge, blinding, even. I imagine my beautiful Kristin wearing it and give a happy sigh.

The man behind the counter grins. "Is this the one?"

I nod. "Yes, I believe it is."

The man opens the glass panel and retrieves the ring. "I'll ring this up for you." He winks after he says his pun.

"Are you even listening to me?" Allen asks me once the employee leaves us.

"Yes, but I'm not heeding your advice. Kristin is the one I'm going to marry, and if you don't approve then I can find someone else to be my best man," I simply state. I am giving him an ultimatum. I know he wants to be my best man more than anything in the world; he wouldn't give it up just because he doesn't like my soon-to-be fiancé.

He sighs. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."

~

"Kristin, my dear?" I call as I step into our shared apartment.

"In here, Ted."

I enter our bedroom and see her sitting cross-legged on our king-sized bed. "There you are," I observe and sit across from her. I notice her facial expression and ask her, "What's the matter?"

She looks up from her hands and slaps a smile on her face. "Nothing." She smiles larger. "I'm perfectly fine."

I furrow my brows. "You sure?"

She nods, the smile still decorating her olive oil skin. "Positive."

I finger the small velvet box in my khaki pants pocket. "Okay. Well, are you amped for our anniversary dinner tonight?" I grin, thinking of my plan for the evening and imagining her sliding the diamond on her ring finger.

She clears her throat. "I, uh, forgot about dinner. I kind of have plans with a friend..." she says it cautiously, as though if she didn't, I would explode with anger.

I don't.

"Oh..." I stop touching the ring's box and put my hand on the bed, near hers. "I understand..." I don't, really – I just figure her plans are more important than dinner with me. She doesn't know I was planning on proposing; it's not her fault.

"Yeah. But, hey, maybe tomorrow or something?"

I nod, a blank expression across my face. I can't look at her. "Yeah, that'd be great."

I see her expression in the mirrored closet doors. She is smiling. "Good."

~

Once I left the apartment, I went to see Allen.

"What do you think she's doing?" I ask him, my hand deep in a bag of Cheetos.

"I don't know. She said she was getting supper, right?"

I shake my head. "She just said plans... ugh. What's more important than our anniversary?" The question is rhetorical, but he answers anyway.

"I don't know, Ted, I don't know."

Right as Allen finishes his words, my cell starts going off like crazy. I pick it up. The caller ID reads Kristin. I answer instantly.

"Yes, dear?"

"I... I..." she stumbles over her words.

I become concerned. "Kristin? Is everything all right?"

"I..."

"What's going on?" My eyebrows are furrowed and Allen looks worried.

"What is it?" he asks me.

I shush him and ask Kristin once more. "What's going on?"

There is a long pause before she can finally say, "I'm leaving you."

My thoughts stop. I drop the phone. Allen picks it up and places it back into my hand. "W-What do you m-mean?"

"I'm... leaving you. My things are already packed and out of the apartment."

"W-What?"

"I'm sorry, Ted; I really am. But recently I have found someone else... and I care more for that someone in the romantic way than I do for you." She gives an airy sigh. "She's my everything."

My eyes widen. "She?!"

"Yes."

"Who stole you from me?!"

"Mandy."

"Your best friend, Mandy?!" I am in hysterics.

"Yes. I thought it was just a friendly thing... but then we were hanging out more and more... and she finally helped me realize what I really am: a lesbian."

"B-But... b-but w-we..."

"Yes, I know. But I never quite enjoyed it. Not like I do with Mandy, anyway."

My jaw drops. "So this is just goodbye, then?" I sound angry.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. Sorry for it to end like this, and on our anniversary – but I couldn't wait any longer to move in with Mandy. I'm sorry, Ted; and I hope you find someone you love as much as I do Mandy. Goodbye."

She hangs up and I drop my phone. It hits the carpeted ground. The velvet box falls out of my pocket and lands alongside the breakup device. I shake and can't breathe for a long time before Allen can calm me down.

Once I am functioning again he says quietly, "I... told you so..."