I knew bringing Keiko to go ring shopping with me would either go poorly or she’d surprise me and be helpful. I was hoping for the latter.
“That doesn’t quite speak romance like I want it to.”
“Fair enough.” Keiko leans against the jewelry case, not even bothering to peruse the rings with me. “Perhaps a savings bond. Nothing conveys romance more than a long-term, maturing investment.”
“A savings bond? You want me to propose to my wife with a present that a cooky aunt buys for their one-year-old great-grandnephew?”
Keiko adjusts her glasses. “Quite a specific example, but that would be correct. I can’t imagine a moment that someone would turn down such a proposal.”
I can, and I’m pretty sure it would be 99.9% of people, the point one percent being Keiko.
“I don’t really think a savings bond is the way I want to go.”
“Mature investing is not for everyone.” She taps her chin. “In the Middle Ages, the groom would offer a compact, yet valuable piece of furniture, a peace offering for acquiring her virginity. Perhaps a secretary desk for the entryway?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and attempt to speak calmly. “I didn’t take Cora’s virginity. She was married before me.”
“Ah, yes, I do recall that marriage now. Hmm . . .” More tapping. “We could act with originality and purchase her a wool cape.”
“How about a ring?” I shout, losing my patience. “We’re here at a jewelry store. Why don’t we just pick a ring?”
“Well, if you would like to be pedestrian, but of course, purchase the conventional jewelry.” She waves her hand toward the jewelry case. “But if you must make such a humdrum choice for your proposal, at least purchase an anulus pronubis with stature.”
“Annual-what?”
Keiko rolls her eyes. “Being you’re a history teacher, I’m quite disappointed in you. Anulus pronubis, from the Roman culture, is an engagement ring. And when I recommend one with stature, I mean one like this.” She points to a ring in the jewelry case, in the men’s section, that resembles a class ring from the seventies.
Yup, it’s official. Bringing Keiko with me was a big mistake.
“Did you get a ring?” Killian asks as I pull into the driveway of my brownstone. Cora and I spent the last few days moving into my place. Thankfully, we had help from friends and made it as smooth a transition as possible. We considered waiting until after Christmas to move, but then both agreed that we wanted to be in my place before Christmas, even if that meant still having boxes around and not being able to fully decorate.
“I did,” I say, putting the car in park. “Took longer than I wanted, but I got one.”
“When do you plan on giving it to her?”
“I wasn’t sure if I should do it as a Christmas present or not, but then thought it would be more romantic if I proposed Christmas Eve. We plan on going ice skating at Maggie Daley Park. It’s an ice-skating ribbon that Cora has talked a lot about. I thought I would take her there, and when we’re sitting under the stars, enjoying a warm beverage, I would ask her.”
“Sounds like a good plan. And you think she’ll say yes to marrying her husband?”
“She better. We just moved into a bigger place.”
Killian laughs as I lock up and walk toward our front door. “I think you’re good, man. I sent you something. It should be getting to you soonish.”
“I sent you something too. Cora helped me, so I can’t take all the credit. There are presents in there for Aggie, Jade, and Cleo as well. Make sure they get them.”
“Cheap fucker, saving on shipping.”
“Not cheap. Smart.” Before I step inside the house, I say, “Everything good with Aggie? The transition went smoothly?”
“Very,” Killian says.
Two days ago, I officially signed over my position to Aggie. The board unanimously voted on the decision and welcomed Aggie and her ideas with open arms. We’ve yet to hear from Pa. I know we will, though, he can’t be happy with us finding a way around his blackmail. But he has nothing over me now.
Absolutely nothing.
“Good. Think it’s okay for me to call her now?”
“Yes, since everything is solidified, you’re fine. Not sure if Pa is following you around anymore, but I don’t think there’s any need to be careful now. I think you can live your life, Pike.”
Relief floods through me. “You think so?”