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Show house/ if 15 But my mother had the grace to laugh about it afterward, while I was resentful, angry - and deeply humiliated. "I don't feel well," I whispered, turning my head into the pillow0 "Forget about the ring." It was true. My stomach was bloating, then tensing as though it had a life of its own. But mainly, I wanted Brian to get the ring, to choose a perfect moment, then remove it from his pocket and the velvet case, placing it on my finger in the grand manner. I wanted another beginning, a cleansing of this dark, gyroscopic fear that whined in my heart. I wanted to be absent when Brian filled out the credit forms with my name and address, the man in the brown suit remarking our urgency with his beady eyes, sneering at our obvious lack of ceremony. I did not want to be the one to explain, with an apology in my voice, that by the time the first payment is due, Brian would be in Southeast Asia. Brian . ^.^w touched my hair and I heard him leave, closing the front door softly. I fell asleep to mingled dreams of bonfires and diamond rings. When I opened my eyes, Brian was bending over me, kissing my forehead. "Wake up, woman. You have to be awake to be engaged." "Don't give it to me, not yet!" I panicked. He was ruining everything, reining in the moment before it had a chance to chase my dream. He turned to the door, but stood watching hesitatantly, lulling |