Love

They would deal with some of the same problems other couples have, but with a maturity that we all wished for.

I was surprised to hear that Marilyn was not going to keep the antique engagement ring we had sent her.

She showed me a sparkly 1-carat diamond rock, which was as bright as her smile. What was going to happen to that old ring, I wondered?

As if she knew what I was thinking, she said, "It went back and forth between everyone. Bob did not want me to keep something tied down with so much bitterness. And Jack didn't want it back. But it seems to me that you paid for it, so ..."

"Well, I guess I did, sort of," I said, filling the silence and remembering my search around town looking for the ring.

"But you did actually buy it, didn't you?"

"I guess so."

She pulled the black case out of her pocket and together we inspected the ring. I then tried slipping it on my finger, but I did not have the slim fingers that she had. Mine were stubby and crooked. Nothing special.

And a ring would only make their ugliness stand out.

"If you want to sell it, fine. I just don't want to keep it. It's time to forget the mistakes of the past."

"Time to move on?" I asked.

"It's time to move on," she replied. "Besides, the ring once brought me much happiness. I think it is time for someone else to enjoy it."