A New Vow

He shifted on the mattress. He got on his knees. The springs creaked.

-Will you marry me? he asked.

Rosa Sharon stared at him.

-Are you serious?

-Dead serious, he said. We go to the courthouse. Before we leave town. You were gonna get married. You still can.

She reached out. She cupped his face.

-Yes, she said. Yes, I will marry you.

He kissed her.

He pulled back.

-I’ve got suitcases in the car, he said. We fill them up.

She looked at the boarded window.

-Should we stop by your house? he asked. Will they be looking for you there?

She shook her head.

-No, she said. Not after how I left. They’ll be worried sick.

She bit her lip.

-Maybe it’s better if we lay low, she said. Give everyone a chance to process.

He nodded.

-No one will look for us here, he said.

-Staying here makes sense, she said.

-We don’t owe anyone an explanation, he said.

She looked at the engagement ring on her finger.

-I know, she said. -But running off like this... it feels wrong somehow.

-It’s not wrong, he said. But if you want to tell them, we will.

-I think we should send a message, she said.

-We don’t have to make final decisions now, he said.

He kissed her cheek.

She leaned into him.

-That’s what scares me, she said. -How lost I’d be without you now.

-You’ll be my wife now, he said.

-Your wife, she whispered.