Three Words to Remember

Someday We'll Tell Ourselves, "Oh My God This Is Paradise"

Over the past couple of weeks it's been brought to my attention, on several occasions, that I really need to marry Alex. I mean, I don't want to be pressured into doing it, but I had been thinking about it before everyone started telling me I needed to. I'm pretty sure it's what I want. I can't really see myself happy with anyone else. So yeah, probably a good idea.

That brings me to where I am right now; standing in one of the many jewelry stores placed up and down the streets of downtown Baltimore. Alex was spending the day with his dad and uncle doing who knows what. So basically I'm off the hook of having to make up some lie about what I'm doing today.

"Can I help you sir?" the guy behind the counter asked as he approached me.

I was currently looking blindly at a case of watches. So yeah, please help me find an engagement ring. I'm kind of lost.

"I'm looking for an engagement ring," I said casually, "I have no idea where to start looking."

"Well we have a wide variety here for either gender in this display case over here," he directed me towards a case close to the register.

As I looked in I saw I was really in over my head. I saw big obnoxious diamonds obviously made for women and a lot of plain bands for men. I knew that if I wanted to really impress him I'd need something special. Most of these bands were either plain silver or gold though.

"Do you have anything for a guy that's more unique?" I asked.

"Hmm, let me see," he said, pulling out a tray from the back of the case I hadn't seen before, "One of these perhaps?"

I looked over the tray and saw that these rings were a little more original than the others. There was one that was a bunch of intertwining gold bands and one that was silver with black wave detail. But there was a certain one that really caught my eye. One that I could really see Alex wearing proudly.

"I'll take that one," I said, pointing to the ring. It was two black silver bands held together by a strip of silver. It was simple, yet different.

"Interesting choice," the salesman told me, "Normally if someone's buying a ring for a man,they go for something more traditional."

I shrugged, "Well my boyfriend's not very traditional."

He chuckled, "That's nice. If you're sure about the ring it'll be $500."

I nodded and followed him to the register. He rang me up and I handed him my card. He gave me a bag that contained the ring box. Ok, so I just made the most important purchase of my life. All good.

As I walked out of the store; bag in hand, I probably walked into one of the most awkward situations of my life. Across the street, at an outside cafe, sat Isobel, Alex's mother, waving happily at me. I cursed to myself as I waved back; trying to hide the bag. It's a well known fact to anyone that knows her, that Isobel can't keep a secret at all. If she finds out, Alex'll find out.

I crossed the street as she beckoned for me. I tried not to draw attention to the bag I held behind my back. I sat down across from her and smiled awkwardly.

"So, jewelry store, huh Jack?" she asked; wiggling her eyebrows at me. At least I'll never have to ask Alex where he got his sassier side from.

"Yeah- I uh, had to get my mom ummm, a birthday present..." I said, avoiding her eyes.

"Jack, your mother's birthday was six months ago," she sighed.

"Exactly!" I exclaimed, probably far to loud, "I mean, we were in Asia six months ago... And it sort of slipped my mind?"