The Ring – Part 1

THE RING
A Short Story By Golden Keyes Parsons
Part 1

The top of the ring box sprang open revealing a silver band nestled in deep burgundy velvet. The woman seated next to Allison on the red-eye flight glanced over her reading glasses. “Nice.”

“Yes, thank you. I’ve had it a long time.”

The lights dimmed and the overhead reading lights flickered on. Allison closed the lid, leaned back and shut her eyes. What was she doing? She must be having a mid-life crisis.

Flashes of Perry and herself played like a video in her mind—the prom, on the beach, kissing on her darkened porch, football games, graduation. Allison Bailey and Perry Larreau were the perfect couple. In her flashbacks she was brunette once again. A swirled silver ring engraved with a single word, “Forever,” encircled her ring finger. The decision to break up while they attended college was mutual, and she gave the ring back to Perry. She soon regretted that decision.

Allison dated several guys in college, but Perry’s quick smile and silly laugh, his blond hair that wouldn’t stay out of his eyes, and his declaration of “Forever” lingered in the back of her mind.

They saw each other when they were home for holidays, but it was awkward. Perry asked, “I miss you. Do you think we might ever … ?” Allison wanted to finish college and didn’t trust her emotions, so she always changed the subject.

She met Sam on a blind date in the spring of her senior year. He was nothing like Perry.

He was dark and debonair, a law student. His family was wealthy and belonged to the country club set. He swept her off her feet. They were engaged in six weeks and married in three months. Life was good. Three babies came quickly. They led hectic lives filled with social obligations, athletics, church and school activities.

Sam’s law practice consumed him, and, little by little, they drifted apart. The children got older, and Sam and Allison settled into living life as married singles—tolerant, polite, safe.

Allison’s heart thudded wildly that day at the mall when she spotted the familiar broad shoulders and unruly blond hair.

“Perry!”

He recognized her immediately and suffocated her with his signature bear hug. “Allison, have I ever missed you. Let me look at you.” His eyes traveled from her tousled hair pushed back with her fashionable sunglasses, to her tanned, pedicured, sandaled feet.

“You look incredible. Are—are you alone?”

“Yes—the kids are in school.” She blushed. “How about you?”

“What luck—me, too. Lunch?”

“Sure, two old friends, right?”

“Still like Chinese food?”

“Still like it.” No wedding band on his left hand. “What are you doing now?”

“Coaching high school. Starting here this year.”

“Are you—married?” The question flew out of her mouth before she thought to edit her thoughts.

“I was.” He cleared his throat. “Annulled.”

“Oh.”

Perry didn’t offer an explanation. They stayed two hours in the restaurant, tiptoeing around the edges of emotions too delicate to explore during this serendipity encounter. More stolen rendezvous took place that summer.

One weekend when Sam was out of town and the children were at camp, Perry showed up at her front door—wine and a bouquet of daisies in hand.

“Y-you mentioned that the kids would be at camp.” He shuffled from side to side. Allison opened the screen door. “Come in.”

She put on an “oldies but goodies” CD and pointed to wineglasses on the buffet. “Pour us some wine and make yourself comfortable while I put these in water.” She chuckled softly. “You remembered I like daisies.”

Songs reminiscent of high school days flooded the house. They giggled at each other’s attempts to recall forgotten dance steps. As the evening wore on, the music slowed, and they found themselves relaxing in each other’s embrace. Allison breathed in the familiar scent of his cologne and looked into the face that she still adored. Her resolve melted.

“Sit here on the couch with me.” Perry pulled a ring box out of his jeans pocket and handed it to her.

She opened the lid revealing the silver ring. “You kept it.”

“I meant ‘Forever’ when I had it engraved. I want you to have it forever. Even if we never—if nothing ever—”

“Shhh. It still fits.”

Perry gathered his first love into his arms and kissed her gently. “Do you want me to leave?”

“No.” Allison twirled the ring on her finger. “But I can’t betray … Would you just stay with me for awhile?” They stayed up all night like teen-age lovers—embracing, retreating, and talking about what might have been. Darkness was escaping into the dawn before Perry left.

They met one last time…

(Come back next week for part two)

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

The post The Ring – Part 1 appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.