Amy was showing off her engagement ring.
I stood in the corner watching my baby sister revelling at being the centre of attention. As a child, it was Amy that always got the lion's share of birthday cake and red balloons. Pretty dresses bought just for her as she was so much younger and my outgrown clothes were not considered good enough.
One day Mum brought out her jewellery box, desperate to find us something to do that didn't include fighting. There were necklaces and bracelets neither of us were much interested in until Mum opened up a box with two rings. One was a plain wide gold band, Grandma's I guessed, the other a more delicate engraved ring with light blue stones. We were silent for about a second, then Amy declared that she wanted it and held out her hand.
"Now girls, neither of you are old enough to be trusted with them." Mum warned. Reluctantly the rings were relinquished and returned to the box.
Now that same ring was on Amy's finger. She dragged her fiancé over to me, her ring hand holding a glass of champagne.
"Sister dear," she said, air-kissing me. ''Everybody just loves this ring! Of course, I loved it ever since I first saw it, remember?"
How could I forget? "You’re lucky to have it, considering...''
''Lucky?'' Amy looked confused.
''Oh I promised never to tell you." I took a drink of champagne and smiled.
''Tell me what?'' Amy demanded.
“One day when I was home sick, I found Mum's jewellery box. I had that ring on.'' I pointed to her finger. ''Mum came home quicker than I expected so I put it in my mouth so she wouldn't see, but I tripped trying to get back into bed and I swallowed it!''
''Swallowed?'' Amy said slowly. Her fiancé laughed.
''Yes, had a hell of a time trying to get it back before Mum realized it was missing.''
''How?'' Amy's voice quavered.
''I won't go into details, let’s just say it was in my possession for a quite a while...''
A new group of friends had come into the hall and made a beeline for Amy, clamouring to see the ring. I went to get another drink and when I looked back, Amy was where I had left her, her ring being admired.
I raised my glass to her and blew a kiss.
I stood in the corner watching my baby sister revelling at being the centre of attention. As a child, it was Amy that always got the lion's share of birthday cake and red balloons. Pretty dresses bought just for her as she was so much younger and my outgrown clothes were not considered good enough.
One day Mum brought out her jewellery box, desperate to find us something to do that didn't include fighting. There were necklaces and bracelets neither of us were much interested in until Mum opened up a box with two rings. One was a plain wide gold band, Grandma's I guessed, the other a more delicate engraved ring with light blue stones. We were silent for about a second, then Amy declared that she wanted it and held out her hand.
"Now girls, neither of you are old enough to be trusted with them." Mum warned. Reluctantly the rings were relinquished and returned to the box.
Now that same ring was on Amy's finger. She dragged her fiancé over to me, her ring hand holding a glass of champagne.
"Sister dear," she said, air-kissing me. ''Everybody just loves this ring! Of course, I loved it ever since I first saw it, remember?"
How could I forget? "You’re lucky to have it, considering...''
''Lucky?'' Amy looked confused.
''Oh I promised never to tell you." I took a drink of champagne and smiled.
''Tell me what?'' Amy demanded.
“One day when I was home sick, I found Mum's jewellery box. I had that ring on.'' I pointed to her finger. ''Mum came home quicker than I expected so I put it in my mouth so she wouldn't see, but I tripped trying to get back into bed and I swallowed it!''
''Swallowed?'' Amy said slowly. Her fiancé laughed.
''Yes, had a hell of a time trying to get it back before Mum realized it was missing.''
''How?'' Amy's voice quavered.
''I won't go into details, let’s just say it was in my possession for a quite a while...''
A new group of friends had come into the hall and made a beeline for Amy, clamouring to see the ring. I went to get another drink and when I looked back, Amy was where I had left her, her ring being admired.
I raised my glass to her and blew a kiss.