Inside was a thin piece of copper wire.
He had twisted it into a rough circle.
Crooked.
Uneven.
Not remotely elegant.
He looked embarrassed.Packaging
“I know it’s awful.”
I stared at it.
“What is it?”
“You know what it is.”
I did.
My heart started pounding.
Thomas took my left hand.
“I don’t have money for a real ring.”
His voice cracked.
“I was going to wait.”
He swallowed.
“But then I thought… what if I don’t get the chance?”
“Thomas.”
“I’m coming back.”
“You better.”
“I am.”
He smiled, but I saw the fear underneath it.
Then he slipped that ridiculous copper ring onto my finger.
“I’ll replace it someday.”
“With what?”
“A real one.”
He squeezed my hand.
“Gold. Something beautiful.”
I started crying.
He panicked.
“Why are you crying?”
“Because you’re an idiot.”
“That’s romantic.”
“I love it.”
“Margaret, it’s wire.”
