The Commitment
Chapter 9 Commitment
As Sally was getting ready to leave on Friday afternoon, the phone rang. She
started to reach for it and then stopped. "Oh well," she thought. "Paul's not
around, I might as well stay late."
"Agent quote services," she answered.
"Sally, I didn't think you would be there."
Sally's heart jumped. It was Paul, though he sounded disappointed that she had
answered.
"Paul, where are you? I miss you so much."
"Well that's good to hear. I'm on my way to my house from the airport. We got
done early and I changed fights. Want to come over?"
"Sure, I'll be there as soon as I can."
"See you there," Paul said as he hung up.
As Sally was driving to Paul's, she tried to figure out why Paul had sounded
disappointed but had asked her to come over anyway. It did not make sense to
Sally. Then it hit her. She wouldn't have been at the office if she had kept
Paul's appointment at the jewelers. He had no way to know that she had gone
there two days earlier. That's it!
Sally briefly thought about hiding the bracelet, but the day had been warm and
she was wearing short sleeves. The bracelet was very obvious on her wrist. She
was looking at it so hard that she almost missed her exit.
She walked into the house and ran to Paul, throwing her arms around his neck and
giving him a big kiss. Their tongues tried to tie themselves together. When they
finally released, they were both out of breath.
"Wow! Maybe I should be gone more often if that's the greeting I get," Paul
said, as their faces parted but not their bodies.
"It is so good to have you back," Sally said, squeezing him in a bear hug.
"Why don't you see what you can whip up from the freezer while I unpack."
"Okay."
Paul quickly turned and headed upstairs, and Sally went into the kitchen. She
was working on a salad at the sink, singing, when Paul returned. Paul stopped at
the door and just watched her from the doorway. Her back was to him and she had
not heard him come in. No matter how often he saw her, he could never get enough
of the sight of her body. The way her hair moved as she tossed her head from
side to side, just grazing her shoulders. Her waist, the shape of her legs,
the... what was that glint of gold? It was on her right wrist. Paul crossed the
kitchen and grabbed her arm, staring.
"Like it? It's yours, you know," Sally said, beaming.
"When you answered the phone, I thought that was my answer."
"No. I couldn't wait, so I went Wednesday and had it put on. That was why you
sounded so disappointed."
Paul took her by the hand and brought her into the living room. He sat her down
in a chair and crossed the room. He opened a drawer and took something out.
Sally was confused. He hadn't said a word to her, and when he returned, he knelt
down in front of her.
"You don't know how happy you have made me. This goes with the bracelet."
He handed her a small velvet box, which she slowly opened. Inside was a diamond
engagement ring.
"I want the other side of our relationship to be as permanent as your gift of
your body. Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Sally answered as she choked back the tears, and she jumped down to him.
After many wet moments together, they finally pulled themselves apart. Paul held
her right hand and ran his finger over the smooth surface of the bracelet.
"You know you shouldn't have scared me like that," Paul said. "After we finish
supper, I am going to have to take you downstairs and punish you for that."
"To hell with supper, lets go now," Sally challenged.
"You are too eager."
But, as they got up, Paul grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder, then
headed for the basement door.
Supper would wait.
The End
For now.
