Love in the Time of Cynicism (35 page)

Today, though, the girl has finally finished a beautiful book gifted to her by her mother, who has no time to read and sends letters about her baby at least once a week. The girl, nearly twenty, has given herself the day off from everything she might have to accomplish. Phone off, sweatpants on, tea boiling.

The day unravels around her until the door of her tiny apartment opens and shuts.

His voice calls out, giving her goosebumps, “My love, are you home already?”

She stands, already smiling at the thought of seeing him, and walks light on her feet to her boyfriend. They’ve been together a long time, since high school. Though they’ve been through horribly hard times together, they’ve managed to pull through because that’s what love does.

He kisses her deeply and the familiarity of his lips on hers is a comfort through every storm.

Suddenly, her lifetime love drops on one knee and reaches into his back pocket.

There’s a ring in his hand and a promise on his lips.