As we walked down our street, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of irritation. All night, Jeff had been on and off his phone. Even when we had gone out to one of the nicer restaurants in the neighborhood. Even when I had tried to touch his arm and speak in his ear. And even when I’d had three margaritas just to send the type of message that I wanted him to pick up on. And still. Nothing.
Nothing but text messages and a phone call that he’d had to take half way through the appetizer. But I knew why. I knew the surprise he had been working on, so I didn’t say anything. I knew I had to let it go.
“I’m sorry,” Jeff said, suddenly. He reached for my hand as he pocketed the cell phone, finally. “I know I’ve been kind of distant tonight. You don’t deserve that.”
“It’s alright, I know you’re busy.”
“Well, hopefully,” he continued, “it’ll all pay off.” He stared up at the night sky and smiled. Our hands swung between us like a pendulum as he kept the pace slow and steady.
I looked up at the same starry sky and sighed. The food and the alcohol was a nice pairing that kept me feeling warm and content in the cool night air.
Many of the street lights were on in the neighborhood. And I could almost imagine our neighbors and friends settling down for a comfy Saturday night, watching a movie and sharing popcorn and tidbits of conversation. But how many of them were there with their soul mates?
“Let’s stop here,” he said as we approached the small neighborhood playground.
“What? Why?” I said. Didn’t he have something he needed to take me to?
He laughed and let go of my hand, making his way to the swings. “I’ll push you,” he said.
I couldn’t help it. This forty-two year old man running in his dress shoes over to the sandy swing set made me grin. Maybe the night wasn’t going to turn out so bad after all. Maybe there was still something in there that was interested in us.
I slid into the stiff plastic seat and he placed his hands on the chains on top of mine. He pulled me back and I held on frantically, trying not to let my dress’s silky outer layer slip and send me head first into the sand.
“I love you,” he whispered in my ear, brushing a kiss against my cheek as he finally let go and I soared into the cool air.
I laughed out loud and let the air rush through me. He hopped onto the swing beside me and we were just content to let our minds wander as we giggled and pumped our legs higher and higher.
What seemed like only moments later, a chime sounded and he abruptly got off of the swing. “Let’s head home,” he said.
“Alright,” I replied. That light, freeing wind around me deflated and brought back a less exhilarating feel to the night. I tried something different. “Let’s stop by Marianne’s for one of those drinks you like so much. She still won’t give me the recipe.”
“She’s not home,” he said and I tried to hide my smile since I already knew that she wasn’t there. I looked up and noticed that her lights were all out, the curtains drawn as well. “Besides, I’ve got something I want to show you in the house.”
Slowly, we made our way up the stairs and I could feel my apprehension and anxiety rising, or maybe it was just the combination of alcohol and swinging, but as I opened the door, he came around behind me.
“I got your favorite,” he whispered in my ear as his fingers laid across my eyes. We moved forward a few steps and then stopped. He removed his hands and an onslaught of light and people shocked me into silence.
“Surprise!” everyone yelled.
My hand rose to my face in what I thought was the best surprised expression. I’d seen the invitations in the trunk of the car two weeks ago when I went to pick up some groceries, but the fact that he’d do this for me was enough.
“Thanks, everyone,” I said. All of our neighbors were there, and even many of my family members from out of state.
Marianne came to my side, bringing me a glass of champagne as everyone sang “Happy Birthday!” As she handed another glass to Jeff, I couldn’t help but notice the bracelet that was wrapped around her wrist. It was almost identical to the one that Jeff had given me that morning as my present. A thin, diamond studded one, complete with a white gold heart hanging off of the end. Maybe that was where he’d gotten the idea from. Marianne always did have the latest fashion and really great taste in jewelry.
I downed the drink, the champagne bubbles filled my stomach, churning and slightly sour, but it was enough. I smiled and my husband smiled back at me. He was enough.
“Make a wish,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. Together, we would be enough.
I wished for my happily ever after to never end. And then I cut the cake.
When I pulled the slice out, a waft of chocolate filled the air. Still keeping the smile plastered on my face, I placed it on a plate, grabbing a fork as my husband took over slicing and handing out the cake.
The first bite hit my taste buds, heavy dark chocolate, rich overly sweet buttercream frosting. It turned to creamy ash in my mouth. It tasted like the smoke left from the candles that I had just blown out.
Unaware of my struggle to stay composed, my husband continued to pass out slice after slice of the cake in front of him. For fifteen years, he had served me carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. For fifteen years, he’d known it was my favorite.
“Dark chocolate and vanilla,” Marianne said, looking at my husband with a smile as she took a plate. “My favorite!”
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