Antique Diamond Engagement Rings and Kissing Frogs

Mary looked wistfully at Hannah’s back, as it receded into the crowd. Since neither woman knew the grinning  guy, she said a silent prayer for her safety, and then turned back to finish her drink.

Hannah knew he was talking to her because his lips were moving, but she was unable to hear what he was saying. And then it seemed as if he was waiting for an answer. What was the question? In frustration, she gave up, passed him a business card with her number, and made her way back to Mary, who was still at the bar.

“Ready to go?” she asked. It was still early. Arms linked, they strolled up the street, causing folks to part in their wake, stopping every now and then to look at store front windows with their glitzy winter decor and fake snow.

Hannah’s favorite was the antique jewelry store decorated in scenes of the past, with little ice-skaters and exuberant sledders and tiny snowmen.

Antique diamond earrings hung from the branches of trees, and antique ring settings sat on little carts pulled by small horses. Too cute, she thought, but really couldn’t tear her eyes away.

There, on a little sled, sat her ring, the one she was meant to have, given by the man she was meant to be with: a perfect diamond antique engagement ring, just her size! Tugging at her friend’s sleeve, Hannah motioned with her eyes and they stood there, dreaming.