Resolutions | Carol

Delusions

I have never been more exited as to step off a train, to feel the icy wind nip at my face and ankles. I hold the photos under my arm and the bouquet in my opposite hand. I had always been fond of the florists at the park and I have not seen them in so long. The lady who runs it, Elizabeth, had first become my acquaintance through Richard after he had bought me flowers. She has always produced the most beautiful arrangements, I dare say Carol cares not for flowers as they are temporary, but today I had a reason.

I run up the steps to our apartment. My heart quickens with each step, racing out of my chest. Beating, beating, beating. The rhythm never ending. I knock twice, tucking the bouquet behind my back and out of sight. The door clicks with life and Carol's face is revealed between the jamb and the lock. Upon recognising me she smiled and opened it completely.

"Hello Therese." She opens her arms and rather than filling them with myself I reveal the bouquet from my back. "Lilies?"

"They mean I dare you to love me." Carol chuckled and took the bouquet.

"Of course, the books at the library." She moved out of the doorframe to let me in after her realisation. She followed me into the hallway and puts her hand gently on my cheek, kissing me so.

"I adore them. Thank you, my love."

"I'll get a vase."

"There is one in the living room." Carol continued down the hall to the kitchen and I could hear her tear the paper from the stems of the lilies. I retrieved the vase from the base of the fireplace and joined Carol in the kitchen. She stood, facing the window above the sink, I place the vase beside her on the countertop and slip my hands around her waist. She over laps her hands with mine, before twisting herself to face me and kissing me with her hands around the back of my neck. "Let's get the flowers in some water, ey?" I nod, she fills the vase from the faucet and submerges the base of the stems.

"How did it go with the investigator?"

"Good, I think."

"I wish I could have been there."

"Do not worry about it. You were busy yourself." The turns the tap off, placing the flowers on the ledge of the kitchen window. "Darling, it's alright." She turned to me once again, bringing her hand to my jawline so her fingers were against my cheek. "How could I have forgotten?" She kissed my cheek and began to walk out of the kitchen. "I brought us something."

"It isn't a car is it? I have heard enough about blasted cars for one day." My attempt at breaking the suspense which stood within me like a marble statue, impenetrable and constant.

"No, it isn't a car." I could hear her chuckle, which was laughing with me and not at me, it made me feel so comfortable. So relaxed in her vehemence. There was a rustle of a bag in the hallway, and she came back with a box. It was a small box, a ring box, like the ones I had seen when I went looking with Richard against my convictions. It was an emerald green box and had a texture like velvet. She brought it to me, I drew on it like air. "This is what we alone will know of. Exclusively. Somewhat a joke, but also a symbol of us being us." Her head was tilted down to the box in her hands, but her eyes remained focused on me. "Go on, open it." The familiar tone of when she gave me a camera. It was such a beautiful gift. She offered it to me because she knew it was my life's work, it told me for the first time that she wanted indisputably that she wanted to be in my life. I wrapped my fingers around the lid of the box, feeling the velvet, before prising it open. The ring was beautiful. A golden band, shaped and inspired by Art Nouveau. The front of the band had a myriad of curves and waves, one of which held three small red stones. Sapphires perhaps?