Cara Mia

By Jim Bonnor

When kisses replaced money, it’s safe to say there were winners and losers.

Our anniversary, and Beth’s eyes sparkled like the emeralds in the necklace I bought her.

“Looks expensive,” she gushed, fumbling impatiently with the clip.

“Uh, huh. From the Italian jewelers.”

She paused, necklace halfway to her neck. “Run by Lucia, that fiery red-head?”

I nodded.

“How expensive?” she demanded.

I shrugged. “Five hundred—”

“Five…!?” She slapped my face hard.

“But I’m paying for it in installments.”

She slapped me harder and walked out. Single and in debt, I revisited the jewelers.

Lucia was out. Alfredo redeemed my deposit.