And With This Ring

Love on a thin string
Encircles the heart like spring
For all four seasons

“Do you have a loonie?”

“Sure, let me check my purse,” said Thelma.

“Here you go. Why do you need a loonie?”

“For the gumball machine there. They’ve got little toys inside,” said Scott.

Thelma rolled her eyes. “You are such a child.” 

“But that’s why you love me,” he grinned at her and ran to the capsule machine.

He put in the dollar and turned the handle. Lifting up the door, the small plastic round container dropped into his hand.

“So what did you get?” asked Thelma.

“I don’t know,” said Scott, shaking the container. 

“Let me see.”

He opened the ball and two chain linked pewter rings fell into his palm.

“A couple of rings. Kind of small though.”

“I think one will fit on your hand.”

“Are you making fun of my little fingers? They are very nimble I’ll have you know.”

“Oh I know,” she said and smirked.

“You sure do,” he said and wiggled his two fingers in a come here motion.

Thelma laughed.

“You’re awful.”

“That’s not what you said last night.”

“Shut up. C’mon let’s take these things to the car and go home.”

Home is for the heart
A nest of squirrels in a tree
Warm in the winter

The drone of the television filled the quiet of the living room, a quiet buzz of mindlessness. Scott sat on the couch not watching, in his hands the two rings from earlier in the afternoon.

“You like those rings don’t you?” asked Thelma.

She walked from the kitchen to sit next to him on the couch. 

“Are you happy I moved in?” asked Scott.

“Yes,” answered Thelma. She tilted her head to the side.

“Why?”

“Do you think this could work long term? You and I? Together, like this?”

“What are you getting at?” asked Thelma, looking at him directly.

“I think so. I’m happy here. With you. I’m wondering … I want to know if you think so,” said Scott.

“Yes, I do. You never know but yes. I’m happy here, together, with you.”

Scott got down on one knee, holding the two pewter rings in the palms of his hands.

“Would you marry me, Thelma Ronalds?”

Thelma cupped her hands over her mouth.

“Are you serious?”

“Well not official, marry me, marry me. When the time is right I want to do it properly with real rings and a real engagement ring. But I want to start. I want to marry you. I plan on marrying you.”

Thelma took one of the rings out of his hand and put it on her finger.

“It fits,” she said with a smile that spread over her face.

Scott took the other ring. It didn’t fit on his ring finger but did on his pinkie.

“Mine fits as well,” he said with a smile that matched hers.

And two become one
What God has put together
A bond unbroken

“And with this ring …” said Scott.

He looked at Thelma, his bride, standing beside him in a white gown, lace veil over her head. On a thin gold chain hung a simple pewter ring. On her finger, he had just placed a solid gold ring. On his hand she had placed a matching gold band. It offset the simple pewter chain ring on his pinkie. 

“By the power invested in me I now pronounce you man and wife,” said the minister. 

They both smiled at each other and took each other’s hand. You’re a year late reverend was written in both their eyes. They laughed joyfully and walked down the aisle. Man and wife.

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This is for a dVerse prompt: For this week’s haibun challenge, I’d like you to reflect on a wedding. I hope you enjoy! 😊

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