“I’ve made dinner reservations for us and I bought something I’d like you to wear.”
Her stomach lurched; a familiar churning sensation attacked her innards. He was constantly buying something he’d like her to wear. Little bits of lace and satin, underthings that were uncomfortable and impractical. He wanted her to wear them to dinner or out with friends or to meetings so he could “think of her skin against them”. She hated it. The expectation of impending performance took the enjoyment out of leisure activities. She hated to have sexual obligations. She preferred romantic spontaneity.
He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, the kind girls dream of. As he flipped it open he said, “I love you and I hope you’ll marry me.” She looked at him. Â She made her decision. “I’m sorry. We don’t match. I love you for now but not forever.”
elroyjones 
Ohhh – I didn’t expect that. Good for her though. Forever is a long time and a divorce is sort of like a death to the soul too. Still, I can’t help but be sad for them.
Yes, coincidental that you mentioned soul, that’s what I just responded to Arthur. I settled the first time, for who knows what reason, a lack of courage mostly.
That was awesome. So much in such a small space. That summed up those realtionships that are pretty good… but not that good… like you know you can do better… and something just isn’t quite right…
Settling is soul diminishing.
True. But sometimes it is hard to tell you are doing it. Or things change.
Or you know you’re doing it and you don’t have the guts to stop. That’s what I did the first time.
So many hormones flowing around… making it hard to think.
Or the propulsion off all of my friends and my younger sisters getting married and having babies, a huge heartbreak and a couple of ill advised romances with gentlemen who were already married to someone else, feeling over the hill at 25. Oh, and drinking a phenomenal amount so it wouldn’t be necessary to contemplate the enormity of what I was about to do. I just figured, what the hell, I’m all washed up. I was lucky to get out after 7 glorious months. One of the stupidest things I have ever done.
Love makes us all crazy.
There was no love, only desperation and the conviction that my life was over, at 25, what a witless little ninny I was.
Stuff happens. It’s over. You’re smarter.
Exactly, which is why our protagonist is so well adjusted!
ahhhhhhhh…
Good stuff…!
Thank you, John.
Oh, thank you. I was so afraid she would cave!
She was smart. I had no idea what she would do. I was ironing my clothes and the next thing I know there she is. I figured her for a cotton woman.
Well, I was all primed for the little bits of lace and satin, and I get spontaneity. Not only that, I couldn’t remember how to spell it.
Huge belly laugh!