A Gentle Proposal

A Gentle Proposal

As I drove toward Detroit, I got more and more excited and more and more scared and nervous. I was eager to see Keith and Graham but terrified of the way we had left things--my engagement ring on the counter, a terrible blow up. The tension mounted. I was also totally exhausted from a long hard week and very little sleep the night before (and for the last two weeks since we broke up). I had to drink coffee and eat chocolate and was afraid the irritability those substances always give me would interfere with our re-bonding.

The wait at the customs was an hour an 15 minutes and the extra large coffee had percolated through, making me very uncomfortable. I stopped at the rest area halfway from the border to Detroit--as did a lot of other people! I knew at that point I was about a half hour from "home"--or from Keith's house, depending.

That started the countdown:  26 mile road, 10 mile road, 8 mile road. Vernier, Allard, Moross. My exit. Then the drive to Mack and the turn. Passing the school and the three churches, the rock where I turn to go around the block --all my landmarks for finding my way to Keith. It was dark, after 9 PM! Keith was waiting in the front yard. I saw him headed across the lawn in the dark. I was so tired I could barely get out of the car.

I said, "Hi sweetie!" I rose creakily and stepped into his arms. We stood there in the open door of my car and held each other. And held each other and held each other and held each other. Cars sped by down the dark street and we stayed there in each others arms. It felt like heaven. It felt like home. It was warm and smelled wonderful--like the man I love. Finally, we pulled slowly apart and unloaded a few of the things in the car. Keith made dinner for me--steak and a veggie stir-fry and beer.

Graham came down and had leftover hot wings and sat with us. Then left again. Keith and I talked about taking Graham to Parcells in the morning for summer select choir. When I was done eating, I wanted to see if I could get Dead going. He called me over and I went to him and hugged and kissed and held him. He told me he loved me, I told him I loved him, and he asked me if I would marry him. He proposed to me again. I said I would and I wanted to and I loved him, and he gently put the engagement ring back on my finger.

If that is not a man to love and cherish and treasure, I don't know what is. We went upstairs to read Harry Potter, and the celebrated our new engagement in the appropriate way, of course.

--
I am certain of nothing but the Heart's affections and the truth of the Imagination- John Keats
Mary