Nuestra Boda

Anna thought she had come up with the perfect proposal, but Cindy, gifted as she is and intuitive as she is, knew what was happening as soon as the plan was made to go to Chicago. She sat at dinner with her family a few days before they departed, boasting “Anna and I will be getting engaged on this trip” as the family burst into tears. Adler Planetarium at dusk in June was not only scorching, but also packed to the brim with tourists and locals alike. The sun was setting behind the Chicago skyline and the waves of lake Michigan glimmered, a promise for a better tomorrow. After a sweaty photoshoot, it was time for the final location and Cindy instantly knew what was happening. Her face scrunched and she turned away towards the water to hide the tears “I can’t believe it's happening,” she stifled a cry and Anna stifled an eye roll. The search around the planetarium steps for an unpopulated spot was proving itself to Anna to be a Sisyphean task. Along their trek, they came across none other than a woman crying with her hands on her mouth and a man on one knee in front of her. Cindy blushed at Anna who was starting to panic. At last, the perfect spot presented itself and it was time. Anna’s heart thumped out of her chest as Cindy's eyes welled with tears. A small piece of notebook paper flapped around in Anna's hand to the point where she couldn't read her fervently prepared speech. Lucky for her, partnership is not conditional, so a blubbering Cindy grabbed onto the top of the folded notebook paper as Anna read. She waited a beat and then took out the personalized glass box filled with fake moss and the small mixed stone ring in the middle. Cindy whimpered as she grabbed onto Anna’s shoulder, crying “Oh shit, it’s really pretty.” The question and a subsequent bottle of champagne were popped, behind them the cork bobbed its way to the coast of Michigan.

“I just know I do not want it public at all. I’ll say no if anyone is around,” played through Cindys head as she concocted her plan. Cindy, unlike Anna, was good at keeping secrets and Anna, unlike Cindy, was not an astute problem solver. On a seemingly random weekend they had planned a date night to go to the neon museum and eat at Anna’s favorite restaurant. The couple sat on wooden chairs, the air conditioning chilled the room and a small child abruptly shrieked every so often. Cindy’s nerves were wracked as she knew today was big which resulted in her being more reserved than usual. The tour around the neon museum was fast and the car ride home was faster--too fast for Cindy’s liking. Anna got a notification on the ring camera and she decided to check it at the stop light turning into the apartment complex. “Hey that's your coworker! What is she doing at our apartment!” Anna exclaimed. Cindy fumbled through her words "She borrowed some socks on our last conference... I bet she's returning them.” Anna noticed that after some rustling Cindys coworker got into the apartment and was gone for over 20 minutes! “What no way,” Cindy played into Anna’s surprise. Anna gasped, “Do you think she's an expert locksmith or something,” she questioned. Cindy took out her phone and saw she got a text from that same coworker NEW BOOK REC: THE ENGAGEMENT BY MARY DUNN The scene was safe. They made their way up to the apartment and Anna, prepared to see they’ve been robbed, was taken aback by candles flickering everywhere in the dark apartment, Elvis playing on the speaker. On the ottoman was a tray with some pastries, champagne, a small bunch of baby's breath, and a seashell with a diamond ring. Next to it was a note from Cindy ending in “Marry Me?” It was a note that started the relationship so it was only natural a note would transition them into the next stage of their life.