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!
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?
to be continued
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