What happens when two nineteen-year-olds talk about their relationship? I explore an idea based on something that happened between my sister and her husband before they married. It's a quick, lighthearted read. Enjoy!
"Blur"
There are three ways I can win this fight, Terry thought. He could pretend he hadn't heard her. He could pretend he didn't understand her. Or he could say something completely irrelevant.
"Let's get married," he said.
"What?"
"Why talk about our relationship when we can do something about it?"
"It's way too early. I just want to know if we're staying together."
"If we get married, you don't have to worry about it."
"I'm sure our parents will see it that way."
"So you're thinking about it?"
Felicia looked out the car window. Frost crawled up the metal onto the glass, blurring the cars pulling in and out of parking spots around them.
"It's not a good idea," she said.
"Why not?"
"We're 18!"
"Yeah? It gives us more time together."
"Sure, to screw up."
"You're the one who wanted to discuss our relationship. I'm discussing it."
"No, you're turning my sincere question into a joke! You don't really want to marry me."
"Yes, I do."
"If I say OK, you'll go to the altar. That's what you want?"
"Yeah."
"OK."
"OK what?"
"OK, I'll marry you."
"You're joking."
"I've thought about it. Let's go."
"Now?"
"Why not?"
"It's Friday."
"People get married on Fridays."
"Yeah. But there's licenses and stuff. And the government shuts down at 4 p.m. It's 3:45."
"I think they take blood too."
"I hate blood tests."
"It was your idea."
"How?"
"You asked me to marry you."
"I didn't know they took blood."
"So you're taking it back?"
Terry sighed.
"You're taking it back."
He shrugged.
"They won't change the blood test thing."
Terry watched a woman with two kids place grocery bags into an SUV. Felicia drew "F Heart T" on the window, the glass squeaking as she rubbed away the frost. Terry squinted to see through the slits of clear glass.
"You frustrate me," he said.
Felicia looked back and smiled.
"That's sweet."
Terry kissed her.
"Does this mean we're still together?" Felicia said.
"Yeah, babe. We're still together."
THE END
