Lonely Love

He waited for her. He sat quietly, all alone, and waited; and waited, and waited. She never came. Eventually, sad and dejected he left. He was never seen again. Some say he left and died alone of a broken heart. Others say he left and found love again in a distant, distant land. No one knows for sure. They only know that a love that had held so much promise withered and died like a rose in winter.

A Change of Heart

"Well, what can I say. Love changes people."

"Love?! You, a self-proclaimed 'scoundrel and bachelor'? You think you're in love?"

"Yeah, I do. So what?"


"This is hilarious! Does she know what you do? What you used to do? Does she have any idea who you really are?"

.........

"I'll take your silence as a resounding, 'no'. Why haven't you told her? Are you afraid of what she'll say or of what she'll do?"

"Both."

"I see. So, you believe, in that tiny little lovesick brain of yours, that if you sacrifice yourself she'll see you for who you want her to believe you are; that she'll never have to know that you are everything she hates and despises. You also believe that even if she finds out that she will still 'love' you, provided you sacrifice yourself first. That sound about right?"

"More or less. Can we get this over with?"

 "Why? You in a hurry to die? Because that's what the deal was. One of you sacrifices themselves and the others go free."

"I know what the deal was."

"No pleading? No 'last minute deals'?"

"No."

"Would you like to write a farewell letter for her to cherish when you're gone?"

"No."

"Very well then. As soon as your hearts stops your friends are free to go."

The Proposal

Her hands flew up and covered her her open mouth as a small gasped escaped. After a moment she lifted her astonished eyes to meet mine.

"Are you serious?" she whispered from behind her hands. Then, with a little more volume, she added, "Please tell me you're serious. I'll kill you if your not."

"I know you would." I replied, "and I am perfectly serious. No joking here."

She glanced down at my hands again. She stared quietly at the object in them as a tear rolled down her cheek.

I broke the silence, "You know, it's customary to answer a question when it's asked. Also, not to rush you or anything, my knees are starting to hurt."

Still staring, she asked, "What was the question again?"

I smirked and repeated the question "Will you marry me?"