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“It’s a bracelet, but it ties you to me, Eve.” He says in a serious tone. “Ties you to me forever. I want you to wear this, everyday until we can be married… Until the time when the bracelet becomes a ring.”
I’m still entranced by how pretty it is, how light but strong and expertly crafted it is. I nod in understanding, but Ezekiel wants to make sure I really understand.
“I love you, Eve… And that’s a forever thing. For our whole lives… Sickness and health. The whole bit. D’ya understand?”
I nod my head, but its already swimming with the feelings I’ve had since last night, projecting them out across an entire lifetime really does feel like a dream.
A fairy tale come true and I'm the princess. Ezekiel is prince charming.
And we really can, no. We really will live happily ever after. That's what he's spelling out for me.
“I- I think I understand…” I answer, not meaning to sound blonder than I look, but it's only because I'm so blown away.
By him. By everything he does and says.
By the deep and lasting impression he's left on and inside me.
Something I truly do want forever.
“It’s just-” I start to say.
“What is it?” He asks me instantly. Intently.
“I just feel stupid because I haven't got you anything… How can I give you the same kinda thing… The same seal on our pact. It is a pact, right?” I ask.
I have to. Just making sure I haven't gotten things mixed up in my mind.
Since last night I haven't exactly been thinking clearly. Or walking straight.
Something Ezekiel teased me about, saying I might never walk the same again.
“You only have to say yes, Eve… That’s all I need. All I’ll ever need.”
“I do- I mean, yes! I mean… I mean I love you Ezekiel. I’ll always love you.”
My arms hook around his neck and he returns my hug a thousand fold, eventually voicing the words he knows I’m longing to hear.
“Say it…” He whispers.
“I love you daddy… I- I loveyou,Ezekiel…”
Extended Epilogue
Ezekiel
Three Months Later…
It’s a point of contention still between my father and me. But not one we mind discussing in private.
“It couldn't have been that,” he says for the hundredth time. “It must’ve been that punch that did it…”
But I’m still not so sure, even after all this time.
“I dunno, dad.” I laugh, shaking my head. “But ever since he drank that furniture Polish, Ricky's been a fucking dynamo. It’s like- It’s like it corrected whatever imbalance he had. You know he’s made the company an extra sixteen thousand dollars a month, just in his department alone?” I ask.
Making it the old man's turn to shake his head in wonder. Both of us settling to agree to never really know, but feel better knowing that Ricky’s finally found some direction in his life.
Ronnie?
