The Purse
This petite pouch, crafted of luxurious crystal mesh and finished with a metallic wrist strap, housed in the second drawer, settled to the bottom, last saw daylight fourth months, at Robert and Lou’s intimate Valentine wedding. Today, it breathed fresh air adorning Lou’s wrist, tons of tissues, lip balm lying inside. Instead of accessorizing Lou’s strapless cream gown, now it accompanied an ebony sleeveless dress which accentuated the dark shadows beneath her eyes, the pallor of her cheeks.
As the ceremony flowed, carried along by somber singing, Lou unzipped her bag, her fingers finding the folded tissues. At the bottom of the bag, Lou discovered a long-forgotten earring — her deceased mother-in-law’s — last on her lobes in February. Lou’s fingers embraced the pearl stud rolling it around in her palm; a memento of former joys.
Walking with family behind the coffin, Robert too uncovered his mom’s jewelry, hibernating in Lou’s hand. Seated in their sedan, in the long line of mourners, Lou and Robert’s minds meandered through memories of this beloved woman. Beneath the boughs of the trees, shaded from the sun’s strength, Robert and Lou bade her a bittersweet farewell.
Months later, as Lou and Robert bagged up his mom’s belongings, they unearthed, way back on a closet shelf, her purse, last carried at their wedding. Their lips upturned as they gazed on the pink confetti yarn clutch, remembering the saleswoman’s pitch, “It’s a party in a bag!” Unclutching the clasp, pulling out a pale linen handkerchief, next finding her fuscia favourite lipstick, and beneath both, the earring’s mate.
At the meal, awaiting the caesar salads, the pearl popped onto her plate, somehow losing its backing. Lou had glimpsed the gem, grabbing it keep it safe in her purse. Where little thing used to upset, with her terminal illness, such small trials ceased to bother.
Lou pocketed this earring, deciding to reunite the pair, intending to wear them, honouring her passing, coincidentally the original date for their marriage. Today would have been a lovely day in the garden for getting married, for making their vows surrounded by family and friends.
