“I know.”
“I bought it because I thought fancy rings were stupid.”
“They are.”
“And I only had eighty-seven dollars.”
“I would’ve complained if you’d spent more.”
“I knew that.”
I slid the ring onto my smallest finger.
It didn’t fit anywhere else.
Douglas stared at it.
“It’s not a proposal,” I said.
“No.”
“It’s evidence.”
“Of what?”
“That we were both idiots.”
His laugh was weak but genuine.
“Then it’s priceless.”
I leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
“Sleep.”
This time he listened.
***
At four in the morning, a nurse brought me a blanket.
At six, Lucas returned carrying three coffees and a paper bag.
“My wife says feeding people is how our family handles crisis.”
I took the coffee.
“I like your wife already.”
“Her name is Elena.”
“How long have you been married?”
“Fourteen years.”
“Children?”
His face changed instantly.
Two dimples appeared.
