Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Wednesday Briefs: Moving Forward #63 (15.4)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Things are getting serious with Marshall and Lee, as they stop in a jewelry store in Galveston to shop for wedding rings. Find out more by reading this week's episode of Moving Forward. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers to see what they've been up to. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

Moving Forward #63 (15.4)


Marshall thought the store they’d  arrived at was alarmingly upscale and undoubtedly expensive. They stood together on the sidewalk, gazing at the jewelry on display in the window.

“Maybe we should just find a Walmart,” he only half joked. One quick glance at Lee and he knew that idea wasn’t going to fly.

“This is once and forever,” he said. “I happen to think you’re worth every penny, and I’m proud as hell to be with you.”

And that pretty much settled that.

“Why don’t we meet you guys at the car when you’re done?” Denver suggested. ” Dustin and I need to do a little shopping.”

“We do?” Dustin asked.

“We do,” Denver affirmed.

Marshall glanced between the two men. Something smelled funny. Whatever it was, Dustin was clueless and Denver wasn’t talking. Guess he’d find out sooner or later.

“You guys go ahead, we’ll catch up with you,” Lee said. “C’mon.” This was directed at Marshall. He placed his hand at the small of Marshall’s back and ushered him inside the fancy jewelry store.

A tall thin man with stylishly short salt-and-pepper hair greeted them with a warm smile. “Welcome to Trevor’s Jewels,” he said. “My name is Gavin. Is there something I can show you today?”

“We’d like to look at wedding bands,” Lee said.

The man never batted an eye, or gave any indication that theirs was anything other than a normal request. Marshall relaxed slightly. He hadn’t realized he’d been concerned about anyone’s reaction to two men wanting to look at wedding rings, but apparently he had been. The clerk’s attitude was certainly helpful, and not in the least demeaning.

“Of course.  Do you know what size you need?”

Both men shook their heads. Marshall had never owned a ring in his life. And he’d never seen Lee with one either. He wasn’t sure if Lee had ever had a wedding ring. That was an interesting question.

“That won’t be a problem. Did you have any particular color or style preference?”

Marshall and Lee exchanged glances. “Do you have a preference?” Lee asked. “I was thinking maybe white gold, unless you’d like something else?”

Marshall didn’t know a lot about jewelry, but he trusted Lee’s taste. “That sounds good to me.”

“Did you have a price range in mind?” Gavin asked next, and when Lee told him, Marshall had to refrain from whistling at the amount.

“Then I know just where we should start, if you’ll follow me.” He led them to a small table with two wooden chairs upholstered in a plush burgundy and invited them to sit. “I’ll be right back with a few sets, and we can see if any of them appeal to you.”

They seated themselves at the table, as they gazed about the jewelry store. This place simply dripped elegance, Marshall thought. He started to ask “Are you sure about this” but realized in time that Lee knew his own mind and left the words unsaid. He knew that when it came to him, Lee would do whatever he thought was right. Marshall didn’t consider himself spoiled, but well-loved, rather.

Gavin returned shortly with several boxes. He took a seat on the other side of the table and laid the boxes out before them, opening them as he did so. As Marshall’s eyes wandered over the rings, he couldn’t restrain his whistle this time. He’d never seen such beautiful rings in his life.

“Glad you like them.” Gavin smiled in approval. “We have one of the finest collections in all south Texas.” It was obvious that he took pride in his work, and in his company. He handed them one box at a time, allowing them time to look the contents over without pressuring them.

They were all pretty rings, but none of them was exactly calling to him. Lee watched Marshall as he looked at each one. “Take your time,” he said, “we want it to be perfect.”

They found nothing in the first group of rings, but the clerk wasn’t discouraged. “I have more, no worries. In fact, I have an idea. I’ll be right back.” He was gone for just a few minutes and returned holding one solitary box.

Someone was pretty confident, Marshall thought. But when Gavin opened the box, he discovered why.

Two white gold bands sat inside.  In the center of each ring was a row of white diamonds, on either side of which was a row of round black diamonds. Marshall couldn’t stop staring at the beautiful rings.

“I think he approves.” Lee’s voice broke into Marshall’s reverie. He glanced up at them, smiling sheepishly.

“I do approve. These are beautiful.” But would they fit?


“Let’s try them on,” Lee suggested. 

to be continued

Now go check out the other Briefers and see what they've been up to!

No comments:

Post a Comment