Excerpt: Eyes on the Prize

Eyes on the Prize

1.

“I’m getting married!”

As soon as the lie escaped my lips, I wanted to regret it. And I would have, if I didn’t like the sound of it so much. I mean, ‘we broke up’ sounds so … defeatist. Not to mention depressing. And it wasn’t like it was completely impossible—when Stephen broke up with me, he informed me that he just needed some time. I think he said it was to focus on work or something. Okay, I wasn’t paying the best attention because as soon as he uttered the words ‘we need to talk,’ I’d started crying. Alright, blubbering. And he’d been so considerate, taking me to my favorite restaurant, ordering champagne, and he even let me eat his dessert after I’d finished mine. I mean, if he didn’t still care about me, he could have just sent me an email or something. Plus, he started the whole speech out about how special I was to him, and how wonderful of a person I was. It’s not hard to imagine that the night that started off with champagne and a speech about my greatness would end in a diamond ring, as opposed to how it really ended—me waking up at two in the morning on my couch, with mascara rings under my eyes and melted Ben and Jerry’s in my lap.

“Married? Leah, that’s wonderful!” Jenny, my best friend since college exclaimed, instantly threw her arms around me and drawing the attention of the entire restaurant. I hadn’t felt up to cooking in the past few days. In fact, until Jenny called to see if I wanted to grab a bite, I hadn’t eaten anything other than stale Pop-tarts or worn anything other than an old pair of Stephen’s boxer shorts and a t-shirt he left at my house. “But, where’s the ring?”

I looked down at my naked left ring finger. “Oh, um, you know, it’s being sized. It was his grandmother’s.” Man, lying was kind of easy. Buying a convincing diamond ring on my salary might prove more difficult.

“How romantic! Oh, I love antique rings. So, when’s the big day?” her eyes sparkled in excitement. Jenny was big on romance—she even enjoyed being a bridesmaid. She’d done it twice, and one of her life goals is to be a maid of honor. It would be a shame to ruin her excitement so soon. I mean, this was a harmless little lie. One slip of the tongue to my oldest friend was no big deal. This weekend, over drinks at Barney’s, I’d order her a third pina colada and tell her the truth. We’d have a good laugh and forget the whole thing.

“Um, we honestly haven’t talked about it.”

Totally true. Stephen and I have not discussed what day we would like to get married. I have nearly redeemed myself.

“June is kind of overdone. Besides, there just isn’t enough time between now and then to really plan it all. October would be so lovely, with all the fall colors, you could do it outside. The pictures would be to die for. And as your maid of honor, I promise to help you plan the perfect wedding,” she looked at me and leaned in close. Her hand reached out across the table and grasped mine. “I am your maid of honor, right?”

She was holding her breath, as if I might suddenly unearth a secret best friend that I’d been hiding from her or a twin sister I’d forgotten to mention in her presence.

I squeezed her hand reactively. “Of course I want you to be my maid of honor!” I assured her. Also true, I heard the devil on my shoulder say. When I get married, I was sure I wanted Jenny by my side. The angel on the other shoulder coughed out that I was still completely in the dark as to the male that would be standing on my other side. I did my best to ignore both supernatural beings.

“Oh, good. Tell you what. I have to get back to work after this, but as soon as I’m off, I’ll stop by the bookstore and buy every bridal magazine they have and come over to your place. We can watch My Best Friend’s Wedding and choose colors!”

It did sound like fun. And it wasn’t like it was a total waste of time. “Sounds great!”

Jenny went on at length, discussing her ideas for the perfect union. She spewed on and on about how she had always thought Stephen was the one for me, from the moment she met him, and how happy we were going to be together. The more she talked, the more I let myself believe she was right. We did belong together. And if he needed just a little time to focus on something else, I was sure that it would just make him realize that he couldn’t live without me.

*******&*******

I decided to take a walk before I went home from lunch. Jenny had hugged me and congratulated me about four thousand times before she left, reminding me to let my hair grow for the best up-do. My plan was to hit my favorite specialty dessert shop, Chocolate Dreams. I needed a treat, and a bribe for Jenny for when I broke the news. As wonderful as the idea of marrying Stephen was, I knew I had to come clean. Just because it was the first happy thought I’d had in four days didn’t mean it was okay to lie to her. And a half dozen Mint Truffle Treasures would help her find forgiveness. And a couple dozen Caramel Swirl Delights might take the edge off my depression.

Just as I rounded the corner that allowed the shop to come into sight, I stopped short and plastered myself against the front window of a dry cleaner. I held the bridal magazine Jenny had insisted on buying me at the newsstand on the corner, to tide me over until tonight, up over my face and tried to convince myself that I was just seeing things. Stephen couldn’t be just a few hundred feet away from me. I wasn’t ready to see him—I wasn’t even able to tell my best friend that we’d broken up. I peeked over the edge of the magazine to see that he was crossing against traffic, with a familiar box tucked under his arm. He was wearing his favorite sunglasses, and a big smile on his face.

Then it struck me. My ex-boyfriend was walking out of my favorite shop in the entire world, with a box of the one thing that could bring me out of any funk I could ever find myself in. He’d decided that he’d made a giant mistake and was probably on his way right now to my house!

There was no way I could beat him there and make myself look dazzling enough for the moment. I walked as fast as I could without breaking out into a run toward the crosswalk, doing my best to keep him in sight. If I could just see what general direction he was going in, I could see if he was heading toward his office or my apartment.

I followed him for ten blocks, and started to wish I was in better shape. I was slightly out of breath, mostly due to the fast pace at which he was walking, and partly because I was playing out scenarios of him asking my forgiveness in my head. I saw myself, dressed in my best little black dress, opening the door and looking like I was about to go out for a fun evening to find him on my doorstep, chocolates and his heart in his hands. I could see him telling me how he was crazy to ever think that being away from me could be anything but a mistake. That he needed me like he needed oxygen. Then I would tell him, for effect, that I wasn’t sure I could ever trust him again, and he’d take me into his arms and kiss me. A perfect kiss that expressed his love for me better than any words he could ever speak. He’d sweep me up in his arm and carry me off to my bed, and make passionate love to me.

Of course, in this vision, my house was impeccably clean, I was ten pounds lighter, and he was a little taller. But other than that, it was very realistic.

I was about to just give up and try to hail a cab when I saw him duck into another storefront. He was nowhere near his office or my apartment. We were nearly at the Market, but a couple of streets up. I almost never walked in this area. Public transportation being what it is, it’s almost never necessary to walk that far for any reason in this city. I slowed down, trying to ignore the stitch in my side and get my breath under control. My heart rate was nearly back to normal when I looked up and realized just what store he’d walked into. My heart rate sped right back up when I saw the sign for Ellis Jewelers.

He was buying chocolate and jewelry? This was going to be even better than my fantasies. I pulled out my cell phone and called Jenny at work.

“Yeah, Jenny? It turns out we’re going to have to postpone our plans for tonight. Yeah, I just found out Stephen planned a surprise for me.”

Maybe I wouldn’t have to come clean after all. Maybe I was just developing a sixth sense!

2.

I should have just gone home to get ready for my big night. I wanted things to be perfect, and I wasn’t the kind to keep champagne on hand in case something incredible happened. In fact, I wasn’t even sure what kind of champagne tasted good. I also needed to clean up all the tissues that were strewn across my apartment, from four days of crying. I should probably iron my little black dress, too. But the sight of him going into the jeweler was just too engrossing. I had to see what he came out with, to make sure he’d picked something up. After all, if he was just going in to order something, then I had some time to get all my errands done. I would have hated to rush around for nothing.

He did come out with a purchase, and instantly I wondered what it was. It was a small bag, and my mind instantly whispered ‘ring box’ to me. Before I knew it, I was at the counter, with diamonds and emeralds shining up at me from their lit glass displays, doing something I was a little ashamed of. It’s not like it was the first time that day.

“Hi, sorry to bother you. I was wondering if you could help me,” I smiled cautiously at the man in a suit behind the counter. He smiled at me warmly and stepped up to the counter. I put my hands on the glass, which warmed my hands due to the lights.

“I would be glad to. Are you looking for yourself or a gift?”

“Oh, well, see, it’s more about the gentleman that just left your shop. Did you assist him?”

“I’m sorry?”

“No, it’s okay. I know him. He’s my boyfriend.”

He gave me a look that informed me in no certain terms did he believe me. “I’m sure he is.”

“He is,” I nodded emphatically. “Or at least, he was,” I blurted out. Not helping my case. “What I mean is, he’s my fiancé.”

“Are you sure, Miss?”

I could deal with his sarcasm. I couldn’t really blame him, I’m sure I sounded like a crazy person. I had to play it off. “It’s just so new. I’m not used to saying fiancé yet. You understand.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I suppose so. What is it exactly you’re looking for?”

I squared my shoulders. “Is it possible for you to tell me what it is he purchased?”

“Absolutely not,” he moved to turn away from the counter.

“Wait! Look,” I leaned across the glass just a bit more. “I can tell you everything you need to know. I know his first, middle, and last name, his license plate number, his mother’s maiden name,” I pleaded.

“I am not able to disclose that kind of information. Now, if you don’t want to purchase anything,” he said with finality.

“But I do!” I exclaimed in a similar manner as when I announced my fake engagement to my best friend. What was wrong with me today?

“You do?” his tone was skeptical but much more welcoming.

“Yes,” I tried to sound a bit calmer. It wasn’t as if I really had to buy anything—I just had to feign interest in something. “See, my fiancé proposed in kind of a fit of passion. It was very romantic,” I blushed for using the term ‘fit of passion’, though he probably thought it was just due to the memory of said fit. “Anyhow, I always told him I didn’t care if he got me a ring or not, but knowing him he was bound to get me something to mark the occasion. He’s very into giving jewelry. And I wanted to get him something as well, but I don’t know if I should get him a ring, or a watch, or what. Is there any way you could possibly, you know, point me in the right direction? I don’t need specifics, per say, recommend something for me, perhaps?”

He wanted to make the extra sale, I could see it in his eyes. “Well, I suppose if I don’t give away the specifics, it couldn’t hurt.”

“Exactly my point! Now, what would a professional like yourself suggest?”

“Well,” he hesitated, still clinging to some small vestige of company policy. I waited for the potential commission to cloud his judgment. It didn’t take long. “In my personal opinion, something like this would be a wonderful compliment to the piece Mr. Tuttle recently purchased.”

I waited with baited breath as he reached underneath the adjoining cabinet and pulled out a men’s ring, with a band of platinum and an inset diamond in the metal. My heart literally stopped beating for a moment as I realized that this was it. Stephen was going to ask me to marry him!