“Was it difficult, being a fireman and having a family?” I asked.
“Sometimes.” Sarge nodded. “Not because of the hours, but because of the knowledge that I might not come home one day. Or I might come home damaged and broken, then the burden of looking after me would fall to my wife and children, and I didn’t want that. But this was the path I chose, and thankfully, my wife understands. Doesn’t keep her from nagging, though.”
“I don’t know what else I’d be…if I wasn’t a fireman,” I said honestly.
“You don’t have to give it up,” he pointed out. “You just have to find the right girl.”
“Thanks for your advice, Sarge,” I told him, as I stood up.
Advice was all well and good, but sometimes things looked a lot different from the inside, looking out. I left work that day realizing that I missed Megan and wanted to see her when I got home. We had no plans to see each other tonight, and I desperately wanted to change that, but I figured she’d be busy with work and research for those courses she wanted to do, so I decided to give her some space.
I got home and changed into casual clothes before heading out to the supermarket for some much-needed groceries. I was on my way there when I passed by a display case window that made me take pause. The display case was elegantly set with a tasteful showing of jewelry. Among the diamonds and the sapphires were flawlessly crafted rings, encased with colored stones in pale pinks and black diamonds.
I found myself parked outside the window, staring at the rings like they were calling out to me. On a whim, I decided to walk inside and see what they carried. I was thinking of Megan as I entered the pristine store. Their floors were covered over with a dark red carpet and stones glittered from every corner of the store.
I walked around, staring at the glass cabinet and focusing in on all the rings I saw. It was far too soon for me to be thinking about marriage. Megan and I hadn’t even exchanged I love yous yet. But somehow, I couldn’t seem to turn around and leave, either.
I walked up to one display counter and looked down at the selection of rings they carried. None of the jewelry had price tags on them, but I could tell from the interior and smell of the store that nothing in here was cheap.
“Hello, sir,” said the salesman behind the counter I was looking at.
He was tall, slim, and well dressed. He had a sharp nose and an expression that was distinctly superior.
“Can I help you?” he asked, giving me a smile that turned up only one corner of his mouth.
“Uh…sure,” I said, without thinking.
“Let me guess, you’re looking for an engagement ring?”
I decided to just go with it. How was he to know anything about my life? It wouldn’t hurt to ask a few questions, it wasn’t like I was making a purchase or anything.
“I am, yes.” I nodded.
“And, what is your lady’s name?”
I’d never heard the question put that way before and it amused me. “Her name is Megan,” I replied.
“How lovely,” he nodded. “And your good name, sir?”
“Uh… Phil.”
“Very good, Mr. Phil—”
“Just Phil is fine.”
“Phil.” He nodded. “My name is Rodney. I’d be happy to show you our latest collection of engagement rings. What’s your price range?”
I hesitated and suppressed the urge to gulp. I had thought I was doing okay financially. But that was before stepping foot into this store. This kind of store put me in a world of grandeur and opulence, and I realized that I was doing well compared to the kids in the neighborhood I used to live in, but not even close compared to the kind of people who walked into a store like this and felt comfortable in it.
“Sir?”
“Ah… Can I know the price of that ring over there?” I asked, as I pointed to a thin wedding band encrusted with small stones on the band and a modest solitaire diamond in the very center. It was one of the smaller and simpler designs, and I decided that as a result, it would also be on the cheaper side.
“That ring is seven thousand, five hundred dollars.”
Again, I repressed the urge to whistle loudly. Instead, I kept my composure and nodded as though I had been completely prepared for that price.
“That’s a little over my budget,” I said. “Do you have rings that are…less expensive?”