HomeRing Around the Eggs
by Jenny Sturgill
Mandy gazed at the clock. An hour late! He's acting strange. So much for our breakfast together. The doorbell chimed. She stole a glance in the mirror by the sofa, fluffed her hair, and opened the door.
Chad burst past her and stood by the piano. He squirmed, shifting from one foot to the other.
"Angel pie, I can't meet you at the diner tomorrow," he said, raking his fingers through his curly brown hair. "I'm meeting someone about…about my gold and mineral investment. I'm having trouble finding just the right one." Sweat beads popped out on his forehead.
"Gold and minerals? Since when? You've canceled three times in a row!" Mandy whirled on her heels, stomped to the kitchen and dumped the cold eggs and biscuits into the trash can beside the window.
He chased after her. "Please understand. I really can't stay. I'll call you tomorrow. We'll have breakfast Thursday at the diner. All right? I'll be there." He shoved his hands into his pockets and left. What was he really up to?
The next day, Mandy drove downtown and glanced toward the sidewalk. Was that Chad? Who was that skinny redhead he was with, all up in his face, laughing and giggling, having a good ol' time? She nearly swerved into the curb. That was their diner! He was taking her to their place. She gunned the gas, her heart hurting.
Thursday morning, Mandy brushed past customers in the diner. She made her way past tables, booths, and buzzing voices. A bag hung at her side filled with all his gifts: the cute heart bracelet, the gold necklace, the earrings--gifts from all their years together, even the silly Halloween socks.
"I ordered our usual," Chad said, his hands twisting his napkin into a wad.
She slid into the booth and set the bag beside her.
"I caught you, Chad." She swallowed hard.
"You did?" He leaned in, his jaw dropping.
"Yes, I saw you bring that redhead in here yesterday." She blinked.
"She was helping me with my investment. She's an expert." He positively groveled.
"Sure." Mandy shoved a huge fork full of scrambled eggs into her mouth without taking her eyes from him.
She choked, swallowed hard and clutched her throat.
"Oh my gosh, I swallowed something!" Her hand caught her plate and knocked it to the floor, splattering eggs everywhere.
Chad jumped up, slipped, and plopped to his knees, smack in the middle of the mess. He crawled over to her on his hands and knees, rested his chin on her seat and said. "Sugar plum, I'm sorry. That was your diamond ring. You weren't suppose to swallow it. I wanted to surprise you." He hesitated and sighed. "Will you marry me anyway?"
"Of course, I will." She coughed once more and planted a kiss on his forehead.
Everyone in the diner whooped and cheered.
Chad stood and sucked in his breath. "But what about the ring?"
"It'll pass," she said and grinned.
Jenny Sturgill, an RN who lives in Louisville, Kentucky, has been published in Kentucky Explorer, Page & Spine, Long Story Short, The Storyteller and has an upcoming story in The Enchanted File Cabinet. Contact Jenny.
