Mrs

"Thank you, Mrs.-----." I took my receipt from the smiling face. "See you in six weeks."

"Thank you."

Mrs. ---- I loved the sound of my name, of his name. I was still crazy in love with him and his kiss still make me weak in the knees. We had done the relationship thing out of order too: long friendship, complicated dating, and long-distance engagement, but the years had been difficult and beautiful. He truly was my soul mate.

I drove home and went up to my room. In the back of my dresser I had a small box with all the letters and cards from my husband while we were dating and engaged. I had treasured every word of love from him. I even had the homemade envelope with dried flower petals in it.

I moved the notes aside and pulled up a ring. It was tarnished and cheap looking now, but I had once worn it with pride. It was my first engagement ring. We hadn't had any money then, and I'd never wanted a diamond anyway, so I wore an amethyst ring made my a local artist in my city.

I slipped it onto my left hand. The large diamond I wore now looked gaudy and flashy next to the simple purple stone. He had given me the diamond before our wedding. I never knew why. I suppose it was because that was the way everyone did things; nothing symbolizes devotion, affection and commitment like a diamond. I had shown it off proudly like all engaged women and girls, elated by the impressed ooohs and ahhhhs from friends and family.

I held the amethyst to the light, savoring its deep glow.

I never really liked the diamond.