She loved me enough to spend another semester in college. She loved me that much. 

 She was going to school for music production and it seriously must have been in her genes, because she was what you would call a natural.  She performed several times over the next year, but none were more successful than when she played on our anniversary.  Job opportunities were plentiful for her after that; she finished up school and we lived comfortably.  She loved me enough to support me while I went to school.  Why couldn’t I have loved her enough to go after her?

I feel like I’m going to be sick as I walk slowly through the park.  How did I not realize?  How had I let myself forget about her for so long?  How could I have put her through that if I had loved her as much as I had said?  How could I break the promise I made to her?

~

            “I will take that one.”  I pointed to the Tiffany’s Jazz graduated band ring.  It was pricey, but she was worth it. 

            “Excellent choice, Miss.”

            I could not stop smiling.  I must have looked like the loon that just escaped from Greystone.  It was contagious too.  People would just look at me and start smiling.  I was on top of the world as I walked down Fifth Ave.  She had blown me away for our anniversary last year and this year it was my turn to blow her mind.  I had told her I was stuck in classes all night and I would not be able to do anything special.  She put up quite a fight before accepting defeat.  Everything was going according to plan.  I had picked out the most gorgeous dress for her at Bloomingdales; one that I knew would show her off in all the right places.  I had the package gift wrapped with a note that simply read:  Put this on and meet me downstairs at seven.  Spence.  I brought it to a messenger service to have them deliver it to our apartment. 

            I arrived in the lobby five minutes to seven, knowing that Ashley would be fashionably late.  I was wrong.  At exactly 7pm on the nose, the elevator doors slid open.  I gasped as I caught sight of her.  The world went into slow motion and I was not even sure I was breathing.  She stepped gracefully off the elevator and began walking towards me, smiling and floating on a cloud.  I was speechless as she walked up to me and placed a kiss on my cheek.