by Annie Jocoby
Inside was the most magnificent ring that I had ever seen. But it was not the ring that was described to Rochelle. This ring had a princess-cut red diamond in a platinum setting. The red diamond was several carats and was offset by tiny white diamonds. I had never seen anything like it, and I knew how rare red diamonds were.
I didn’t want to know how much he paid for this ring.
“Will you make me the happiest man ever and do me the honor of being my wife?”
I was shaking uncontrollably. I nodded my head, unable to say anything at all. Once again, I had no voice.
He slipped the ring on my finger. I stared at it. It was beautiful, the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen in my life. I suddenly realized that I was crying uncontrollably. I wrapped my arms around his neck and sobbed into his shoulder.
Ryan was laughing. “I'm starting to get used to your odd reactions to happy events.”
I couldn’t say anything at all, but I was nodding my head violently. He held me for what seemed like an hour, while I strangled him, not wanting to let go.
I finally finished crying, then looked down at my rock. My hand was still shaking violently.
I finally spoke. “Uh, what is this stone?” I somehow knew that it was a diamond without him telling me. It was definitely not a ruby.
“It’s a diamond.”
“I've never seen a red diamond.”
“That’s because they're very rare, love.” He paused, looking me in the eye. “Like you.”
“I thought – “
“That I got you a five carat diamond ring at Tiffany’s?”
I nodded.
“I did. But the more I looked at it, the more ordinary it seemed to me. It just didn’t suit you at all. You're one of a kind, and the ring should reflect that.”
I looked into his eyes. “I love you,” I said.
He kissed me long and slow. “I love you too.”
At that, he picked me up and carried me into our bedroom.
We made love the rest of the day.
Chapter Forty-Two
Two days later, Ryan and I made our way to the state hospital to visit Maggie. I'd already told my parents, but, of course, they already knew. Ryan, ever the old-fashioned gentleman, had asked my father for my hand. My father, confused about why Ryan would bother asking him, said yes, of course.
I smiled. Of course, my father doesn’t know about that old tradition. I doubt that he did the same when he asked my mother to marry him. In fact, I know that he didn’t – my maternal grandfather was a drunk who left the family when my mom was only 15.
Now it was time to tell sweet Maggie. And give her a double dose of good news – she was finally going to be released. Sheldon had secured this, and Ryan had found her a room in a group transition home.
It was going to be a good day.
We went through the usual routine – taking off our watches, taking off our shoes. I set off the metal detector because of my ring. I begged the security guard not to make me take it off. He saw my pleading face and let it go.
I was relieved. I never wanted to take off the ring, however unrealistic that would be in the future. If I got back into law there would be many more metal detectors. But, for now, I was secure in not having to take it off. Score!
We made our way up to Maggie’s room. She was playing cards with Rosey, the lady who was bound in leather straps the last time. Now Rosey looked normal. Maggie lit up upon seeing us.
She came up to us and gave us both a big hug. Rosey did the same with Ryan, then turned to me with a smile. “Hello. You must be Iris.” At that, Rosey hugged me, too.
Ryan and I took a seat in the room. “You wanna play some gin?” Rosey asked us both.
I looked at Ryan. Ryan said “Maybe later, Rose. I need to talk to Mom right now.”
Rosey nodded. “I'll go visit Michelle down the hall.”
“Don’t go far,” Ryan called to her. She nodded as she walked down the hall.
Ryan took a deep breath. Maggie looked at us, looking at one, then the other. “What’s going on?” she asked.
“Do you want the good news or the better news first?”
“The good news.”
“Sheldon has secured your release. You'll be getting out of here next Monday.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Where will I live?”
“I found a really nice transition group home for you. If things go well, you can move out of there in a year, and live on your own.”
Maggie looked a little sad. “I'll miss the people here. Especially Rosey.” Then she smiled. “But I'll be able to see you more. And Sarah.”
Sarah. I would have to meet her, too, now that Sarah was going to be family.
Maggie looked at us again. “And the better news?”
Ryan lifted up my left hand. Maggie let out a little shriek of joy, then hugged us both. “Welcome to the family!” she said to me in my ear. Then she looked closer at the ring. “A perfect red diamond. I've never seen anything like this!” She kissed me on the cheek. “I think that you'll make a wonderful daughter-in-law.”
I nodded, smiling.
We stayed the rest of the day. Rosey came back in after about a half hour, congratulated us, then we all played cards. I didn’t know too many card games, but everybody was patient in teaching me. I did know how to play poker, so we did that, too, with Maggie bringing out her poker set with chips. None of the chips were worth anything, but that wasn’t the point. Hanging out was the point, and we all had a great time.
Finally, we left.
On the way home, Ryan said “Well, now, Iris. Uh, Nick is…Nick will be my best man. So – “
I smiled. “Let’s meet.”
I was, at long last, going to meet the infamous Nick.
Acknowledgments
To my mother, Dolores, for always believing in me. To Joey, for supporting me through all the craziness. To Debbie, Florence and Carol for giving me courage and confidence. To Nancy for giving me courage, confidence, and some wicked ideas. To my father, Thomas, for giving me my writing ability. To my sister, Christine, just for being you. I love you all.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
C hapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty -One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty- Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Acknowledgments
s-inline-share-buttons">share
