The Ring BearerA Story by Sami KhalilHer best companion...The Ring Bearer by
Sami Khalil Anticipation built up like a
pressure-cooker as family and friends gathered at the ‘Pavilion’, situated on a
bluff overlooking ‘Black Warrior River’; a beautiful and natural setting for
weddings, just a stone-throw away from ‘The Indian Mounds’, to witness the
betrothal of the Snow’s only daughter Kathleen to the Flake’s only son Mark, in
holy matrimony. As the event unfolded, all the
participant's eyes were fixated on the ‘ring bearer’, who happened to be
Kathleen’s black lab; her precious looking and beloved dog, whom she needed as
a constant companion due to her unique medical condition. Diagnosed by dysautonomia, it affected
many parts of her involuntary nervous system, triggering many life-threatening
symptoms, hence the need for a dog who can read those signs and react
accordingly. At least this disease did not scuttle
her hopes of marriage for she met her future husband at a hospital’s charity
event, intended to raise awareness and funds for the disease. They magically fell in love and, both
being in the medical field, they found a common cause to share and a noble
purpose to fight for. Kathleen loved nursing while Mark excelled as a purveyor
of medical equipment. One day as both finished their romantic
dinner at ‘Side by Side’ gourmet restaurant, they both held hands and strolled
downtown Tuscaloosa (window shopping) at several local shops. They stopped at
Burkhalter’s jewelry shop where Kathleen felt like a child in a candy store. A
one Carat, brilliantly shinning diamond ring caught her eyes, quickly falling
in love with it. Mark, being astute, noticed that, so he quickly arranged for
the purchase, then dropping on one knee, popping the question, holding high the
ring as a trophy. Tears streamed down her face with sheer delight, making both
soar up high as angels when she said: Yes! Preparations for the wedding went fast
which slalomed the snowy slopes of time in an adventurous manner. And to every
guest’s delight, they marveled at the decorations done in snow flake’s shapes
and colors. Everything went smooth until that
fateful day. As the dog was carrying the ‘Ring’ in a basket, it approached the
wedding couple. Something went awry, dashing Kathleen’s hopes. When Mark took
away the ring to offer her ‘the gift’, the dog unexpectedly bit his foot then
fled away leaving him bleeding profusely. Oh! They were all in shock as they
rushed him to the hospital. At least the couple got married (saying the I do’s)
by bandaging him temporarily with gauze, stopping the bleeding and, before
taking him away. As he recovered, they both moved into
their new house, purchased with a down payment, in Birmingham, AL. It was
convenient, for both worked at the world-famous UAB medical center, which was
not far away. A year passed, settling comfortably
together, with two cushioned jobs, Kathleen’s symptoms became worse by the day.
They brought a heavy load and took a toll on their marriage. Mark was exhausted
mentally and physically, could not handle the knee-jerk reactions. Compounded
by the fact she could not bear him a child, he started abusing her daily,
making her life a living hell. She cried a lot, missing days upon days of work.
The wind had disturbed the leaves. It
is time to scatter them. The birds were missing, too. Mark filed for divorce
and was granted as such. Devastated, Kathleen went about her life living
miserably. She was left out to dry in fading memories. One day, she decided to take a walk in
the park. After sauntering a few, she was gob smacked. A dog approached her out
of nowhere. It was ‘Frolic’, her good ole’ dog. She felt speechless as he
jumped up and down at a fever pitch. Would she forgive and forget what it had
done to her or reject? Things went through her mind fast. The only two on her
love’s short list, other than her parents, were Mark and Frolic. As the light
was diffused through the trees and, with a slight discomfort, she proffered a
mighty embrace. As she was taking it home, a man greeted her. Both eyes exchanged deep sentiments. Fast forward, her next wedding’s ornaments were done in snow and firewood. She became Mrs. Woods! © 2021 Sami KhalilReviews
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5 Reviews Added on December 12, 2021 Last Updated on December 19, 2021 Author
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