Gifts

At the private view, the last gallery is almost empty. You pass her an ivory box beside a limestone sculpture. Inside is Wildflower Ring, chosen for its two uneven clusters and the way she never asks for perfect symmetry. She reads your face before she lifts the lid.Then she slips the ring onto her middle finger and turns her hand toward the skylight. The first look is for herself. She reaches for your hand with the box still open between you. Framed Heart Necklace catches the same light at her collarbone. A guard dims the gallery lights, and neither of you moves.