“Oh-my-god!”
“You’ve said that already.”
“Jameson….”
He can’t really want to marry me. Could he? I’ve let my guard down so much with him already in this short time. I’m so scared!
“I love you, Hillary. Will you marry me?”
I know what to do. The right answer tumbles from my lips. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you!”
Somehow between both of our shaky hands the engagement ring made it onto my finger. It was beautiful. A brilliant princess cut diamond surrounded by smaller princess cut diamonds on the white gold band truly added to the allure. I couldn’t stop smiling. Then I couldn’t stop laughing.
“Is that why you asked me if I could see the mountains when I was closing the curtains, because you were getting the ring out?”
“Yes.” He chuckles. “It’s also the reason why I was gone for so long when I said I was going outside to have a cigarette. I was so nervous I stopped in the bar downstairs and had a couple of shots to calm my nerves.”
“I was wondering what was taking you so long. I wanted to go have one but I was afraid if I took the elevator down you would be coming up at the same time and we’d miss each other.”
“How about we go out to dinner and have a few drinks to celebrate?”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
“Your parents are probably waiting to hear from you anyway.”
“Why is that?”
“Because after you called me to tell me you were on your way yesterday morning I called your house and asked your parents for permission to marry you. I had both of them on the phone at the same time.”
“Seriously? What did they say?”
“Well, as I expected your dad was pretty quiet. Your mom was pretty short and serious.”
“Yup, that sounds about right I guess. I could really use a drink now. Let’s go out.”
“Sounds good to me. I know exactly where I’m taking you. It’s called The Muddy Moose.”
Oh! Good Lord!
“You’re Jameson’s problem now.”
March 7, 2002
I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE NEW HAMPSHIRE but our five-day getaway was over. My girl friends were anxious to hear about the sex, I finally gave up, and my mother only cared about what the ring looked like. Lily already knew what the ring looked like. Jameson put her up to the mall trip to get an idea of what type of design I liked. According to Lily, Brody had been keeping it locked up at his house. Karolyn wants all of us to go out to dinner Saturday night to celebrate. I can’t wait! Jameson and I don’t have to be back to work until Monday, so we are down for anything.
When someone tells you they are engaged what’s the first thing you normally say? Congratulations, right? Well, not my mom. The first thing she said was, “how big is the diamond?” The second thing she said was, “what does the ring look like?” The third thing she said was, “what did you say?” The fourth thing she said was, “stop at my work before you head home on Thursday so I can see the ring.” That was it. My dad got on the phone and said congratulations. We talked for a few minutes about the familiar sites I’ve seen from childhood trips. It was a nice change from the conversation with my mother. Jameson’s conversation with his mom was brief. He said that was only because she already knew he was going to propose, and she told him to tell me congratulations. It wasn’t very convincing at the time but I brushed it off.
Pulling up at Daylight Dairy where my mother is a bookkeeper, I could already feel the frustration threatening in my loins. Jameson laughed at me and told me to relax and we could leave whenever I wanted. Climbing the metal staircase outside the fifty-year-old building I took multiple deep breaths. I pushed open the squeaky door and walked through the delivery men’s report room and into the main office where my mother and her longtime friend Jane also sat. Jane and my mom have been friends since before I was born. As soon as I knocked on the door and poked my head through both women squealed. I was happy to see Jane, my mom not so much. My mom shot up out of her chair, came charging at me and grabbed my hand to see the ring. Jameson stood right behind me rubbing my back, like a great supporter. Once my mom got a good look at the ring she walked past me and hugged Jameson. I went right over to Jane with arms outreached to hug her. She understood my relationship with my mom and me. She hugged me, squeezed me tight, she told me how happy she was for me then she looked at the ring. That’s how it should be done. We only stayed for a few minutes, mainly because I can’t handle my mom’s bullshit, and because we were hungry and wanted lunch. It was after two o’clock so maybe we should call it linner (late lunch, early dinner).