From Coffee Talks…

From Coffee Talks To Rings: A Romantic Journey

My girlfriend, Cindy, and I sat at the pine kitchen table. I sipped warm mocha coffee while she babysat Coke over rum. The morning light slowly seeped through the large, streakless window in the living room.

I was thinking about something.

Cindy’s eyes told me she was thinking, too.

“Just hear me out,” Cindy said, lifting her hand halfway and lowering it onto the table.

“I’ve heard enough.”

“Oh, come on, dude!” Cindy exhaled.

“We’ve been over this,” I said, taking a sip of coffee. Cindy slammed her drink and pointed at me. “You talked about it,” she said. “I haven’t said anything.” I sighed and slumped in my chair. “I’m listening,” I said, hugging myself. Cindy closed her eyes, breathing through her lips, mindfully wiggling her fingers. She lifted her lashes, and her deep green eyes painted a mosaic portrait of an undefined woman who claims me as hers.

“It’s not that my mom doesn’t like you–“

“Oh, please!” I said, eyebrows knitted together.

“She’s scared you’re going to leave me,” Cindy said.

“That’s not what you said before,” I said, narrowing one eye. “You said—“

“Look,” Cindy tucked her long red bangs behind her ear, “it wasn’t true.”

“Your dad doesn’t care much for me,” I said. “You said so yourself. Explain that, missy.”

“I wanted to see whether you’d stay with me even if they hated you.”

I stroked my chin.

Cindy crossed her legs and reached for my hand. She brushed tears away with her free hand.

“We need to talk about your drinking,” I said.

“Drinking Coke with Sprite?” Cindy brought her hand to her mouth, laughing.

“You aren’t drinking?” I said, wrinkling my nose and forehead.

Cindy stroked my hand, giving me an engaging glance. “Not alcohol.”

“Why all the tests?” I gave her a confused glance.

“I’ve made so many mistakes in my life,” she said. “And you’re not one of them.”

My cheeks warmed, and I licked my lips. “That’s beautiful.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“You need to put your books back on the…” Cindy pointed. “On the bookshelf.”

I tensed my lips and nodded. “Fair enough.” I scratched my head. “And it’d be nice if you stopped eating sweets in bed.”

“Sweets?” Cindy wrinkled her forehead. “I don’t eat sweets in bed.”

“Maybe we should start.” I winked.

Cindy blushed hard. “You haven’t even asked me…”

“Oh.” I lifted a finger. “Hold on.” I dug into my jeans pocket. I retrieved something for her finger. I lifted it. “I found this lying around.”

Cindy brought her hand to her mouth. “Are you—“

“Will you marry me?”

“Only if we go have sweets in bed.” Cindy fanned her face as I pushed an engagement ring onto her finger.

Cindy stood, jumped into my arms, her legs around my waist. She let up and pulled me into the bedroom.

By Andy Cooper

From: United States

X: AC0040