The Proposal

THE PROPOSAL



“I’m asking her to marry me.  Do you think she’ll say yes?”  The twenty-something man at the table next to Jess looked back to see if his girlfriend was on her way back from the restroom yet. 

“Sure, I guess.”  Jess shrugged.  She was supposed to be observing these folks, not chatting with them.  “I think I’ll join her in the ladies room.  Can you watch my stuff?” 

“No problem. Tell the love of my life I’m waiting.  Just kidding. She’s taking forever.  God, I’m nervous.”  Funny, he seemed confident, his hand through his hair, her tilted head, eye contact, all that.  That was when they were talking outside.  Jess was observing their body language, a project of sorts. 

As Jess was returning from the otherwise empty restroom, she saw the guy’s girlfriend with another man in a suit.  They were arguing then she stormed back into the restroom, wiping her eyes with her hand.  Jess hurried to her table.   

“So, did you see her?”  The nervous man whispered to her. 

“She’s in the bathroom fixing her make-up.” Jess blurted.  She never lied but her imagination was running wild with a million what ifs. She liked his sheepish lack of confidence.  She didn’t want him to be hurt.

“Girls do that, I guess.  Thanks for checking. I was afraid I’d scared her off. 

“Um, I’m sorry.  I lied.  I saw some guy in a suit arguing with her, then she threw something at him, a ring maybe.  She’s in there crying now.  You might want to propose later, when she’s in a better mood.  Just my opinion and you didn’t ask so I’m gonna shut up now and drink my coffee and quit screwing up your life and messing up the whole proposal thing and …” Jess put her left hand on her own mouth.  She had no self control when she talked, but her hand had some sense.  She started scribbling on her paper, trying to look busy. 

“I’m Kevin, by the way.  She’s Beth.  The guy must have been Mark, her ex husband.  Real jerk. He wants her old engagement ring back for his new girlfriend. Imagine that.  She was planning to sell it. He’s not the best with the child support.  She’s a great mom, but she works like two jobs just to make ends meet.  I just let them move in with me about six months ago.  We were just friends then but its more now, at least I think it is.  She got papers yesterday that he’s suing her for custody saying she’s breaking the divorce decree because we’re living together, not married, and now she has to get a lawyer.  Geez, I can’t believe I’m telling you all this.  You’re what, sixteen at the most?

“Fourteen, but thanks for telling me.  I was kinda worried for you.  Thought she was dating both of you and I was kinda afraid to tell you but then I thought it wouldn’t be right not to, cause I knew something you didn’t and it wasn’t mine to know and maybe she was being harassed by that guy and what if something happened to her and I hadn’t told you what I knew.  Oops, did it again. Blabbermouth.  That’s my name.” 

“You’re different. I like that. It’s a rare thing, folks being honest.  Most people don’t want to get into other people’s business.  You were brave to tell me.  I stink at reading people and what if she got back and I saw all those tears and thought she didn’t want to marry me?  What I mean is, I might not have proposed if I read her wrong and thought she would say no.  Most girls are impossible to read but not you.  I can tell you’re an honest person and you don’t have ulterior motives.  That’s pretty cool.”

“Really?  Well, I have to admit, I did have ulterior motives.  For watching you guys, that is, not for telling the truth.  I usually get myself in trouble telling the truth.  Funny that, huh?  I have Asperger’s and I stink at reading people too, and my counselor suggested that I try watching other people and how they read each other’s gestures and know when to shut up or keep talking.  It’s kind of an experiment.  Thats why I was watching you guys and, well, kinda listening in.  Sorry
‘bout that.”

“That’s okay.  Great idea, I do that too sometimes.  But hey, what if you observe someone who’s also clueless?  You might learn the wrong things.  People misread me all the time.  They think I’m all confident when I’m scared to death.  Then they think I’m nervous when I just bored and fidgety.  Like, for instance, the other day, I learned something from a GQ article about how, if you run your hand through your hair and smile,  it makes you look interested or confident or something and so I tried it.  Silly, huh?  And here you probably thought I had it all together.  Hey, here she comes.  I really enjoyed talking with you. What was your name again?” 

“Jess, blabbermouth for short.  And Kevin.  I think she’ll say yes.”

“Thanks” he whispered.  And he turned his attention to Beth as she approached the table.  Kevin gently took both of Beth’s hands in his and looked at her. Jess could tell he was making great eye contact. She was quietly rooting for him.  Go Kevin!

Kevin wiped a tear from Beth’s face, his hand remaining on her cheek. “Beth, I want us to be a family; you, me, and Kelsey.  Will you, um, you think we could, um…?” He glanced at Jess and she nodded and smiled.  “I love you and I think we could make a terrific family.  And I swear I won’t turn into a jerk like you-know-who.  I’m in it for the long haul…”

Both took his hands and smiled. “Kevin. I love you.  So shut up and just ask the question already.”  Kevin got on one knee as Beth rolled her eyes and smiled, looking embarrassed or maybe excited. Who knew?  Kevin dug deep in both pockets, finally locating the tiny box.  Opening it, he began “Beth, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?” 

“Yes.”  Tears were dripping everywhere; Beth, Kevin, Jess, and a few other casual observers within earshot, all dabbing at their eyes.  Kevin slid the diamond ring on her finger then bumped the table with his shoulder as he was standing, knocking his glass of water over.  Both giggled and Beth hopped up before the water dribbled on her pants.  Jess thought Kevin did an awesome job of the proposal.  And who cares if he was klutzy,talked too much, was nervous and told a 14 year old stranger about his girlfriend’s life story.  He got the girl.  That’s what counts.  He was gentle and honest and Jess thought Beth was lucky to have him. 












Writer's cramp judges DO NOT READ BELOW (original full length version below.)


Diagnosed with Asperger’s a year ago, Jess was relieved to know there was a name to what she felt was her own personal human failing.  She stunk at body language.  But when the therapist suggested that she just observe people from a distance without having the anxiety of monitoring herself in a conversation, the suggestion was met with a shrug.  Therapy was her parents’ idea, not hers. That afternoon, last week actually, as she rode home with her parents, she started noticing for the first time how every time her father called someone on the cell phone while in the car, her mother got that “fine, don’t talk to me” look.  Jess watched from the backseat as her mother crossed her arms and looked out the window, like maybe she was sad or something.

Jess had her notepad and pen and a mocha latte with extra cream and Splenda.  And she was on a stakeout.  She watched closely at the woman’s lips, the way she tilted her head when the man with her spoke.  Writing quickly, she jotted down the details.  Legs crossed, now flips her hair, smiles, puts her hand on his forearm.  His hand running through his hair, they laugh.  This must be what they call “flirting.” 

Jess had begun that afternoon to think of how she could turn this assignment into her own secret mission, her own human experiment.  She would break the code of human behavior and finally figure out why her nerdy male friends obsess over the cheerleader types who don’t give them the time of day and what is behind those looks the popular girls give to each other when someone (like her) does something they call “social suicide”.  Why it was that no one said what everyone was thinking?  Maybe, if she could figure this out, she could write a book on it one day or at least manage a conversation without missing all the cues. 

The couple got seated and the woman immediately took her purse and said she was going to the ladies room.  With the woman gone, she noticed the man start fumbling in his jacket and he put something in his pocket and hung the jacket on his chair.  He smiled at her and she realized she had been staring.  She looked down acting as if she had a lot to write but really, she was just embarrassed. 

“I’m asking her to marry me.  Do you think she’ll say yes?”  The twenty-something man at the table next to Jess looked back to see if his girlfriend was on her way back from the restroom yet. 

“Sure, I guess.”  Jess shrugged.  She was supposed to be observing these folks, not chatting with them.  “I think I’ll join her in the ladies room.  Can you watch my stuff?” 

“No problem. Tell the love of my life I’m waiting.  Just kidding. She’s taking forever.  God, I’m nervous.”  Funny, he seemed confident, his hand through his hair, her tilted head, eye contact, all that.  That was when they were talking outside.  Jess was observing their body language, a project of sorts. 

As Jess was returning from the otherwise empty restroom, she saw the guy’s girlfriend with another man in a suit.  They were arguing then she stormed back into the restroom, wiping her eyes with her hand.  Jess hurried to her table.   

“So, did you see her?”  The nervous man whispered to her. 

“She’s in the bathroom fixing her make-up.” Jess blurted.  She never lied but her imagination was running wild with a million what ifs. She liked his sheepish lack of confidence.  She didn’t want him to be hurt.

“Girls do that, I guess.  Thanks for checking. I was afraid I’d scared her off. 

“Um, I’m sorry.  I lied.  I saw some guy in a suit arguing with her, then she threw something at him, a ring maybe.  She’s in there crying now.  You might want to propose later, when she’s in a better mood.  Just my opinion and you didn’t ask so I’m gonna shut up now and drink my coffee and quit screwing up your life and messing up the whole proposal thing and …” Jess put her left hand on her own mouth.  She had no self control when she talked, but her hand had some sense.  She started scribbling on her paper, trying to look busy. 

“I’m Kevin, by the way.  She’s Beth.  The guy must have been Mark, her ex husband.  Real jerk. He wants her old engagement ring back for his new girlfriend. Imagine that.  She was planning to sell it. He’s not the best with the child support.  She’s a great mom, but she works like two jobs just to make ends meet.  I just let them move in with me about six months ago.  We were just friends then but its more now, at least I think it is.  She got papers yesterday that he’s suing her for custody saying she’s breaking the divorce decree because we’re living together, not married, and now she has to get a lawyer.  Geez, I can’t believe I’m telling you all this.  You’re what, sixteen at the most?

“Fourteen, but thanks for telling me.  I was kinda worried for you.  Thought she was dating both of you and I was kinda afraid to tell you but then I thought it wouldn’t be right not to, cause I knew something you didn’t and it wasn’t mine to know and maybe she was being harassed by that guy and what if something happened to her and I hadn’t told you what I knew.  Oops, did it again. Blabbermouth.  That’s my name.” 

“You’re different. I like that. It’s a rare thing, folks being honest.  Most people don’t want to get into other people’s business.  You were brave to tell me.  I stink at reading people and what if she got back and I saw all those tears and thought she didn’t want to marry me?  What I mean is, I might not have proposed if I read her wrong and thought she would say no.  Most girls are impossible to read but not you.  I can tell you’re an honest person and you don’t have ulterior motives.  That’s pretty cool.”

“Really?  Well, I have to admit, I did have ulterior motives.  For watching you guys, that is, not for telling the truth.  I usually get myself in trouble telling the truth.  Funny that, huh?  I have Asperger’s and I stink at reading people too, and my counselor suggested that I try watching other people and how they read each other’s gestures and know when to shut up or keep talking.  It’s kind of an experiment.  Thats why I was watching you guys and, well, kinda listening in.  Sorry
‘bout that.”

“That’s okay.  Great idea, I do that too sometimes.  But hey, what if you observe someone who’s also clueless?  You might learn the wrong things.  People misread me all the time.  They think I’m all confident when I’m scared to death.  Then they think I’m nervous when I just bored and fidgety.  Like, for instance, the other day, I learned something from a GQ article about how, if you run your hand through your hair and smile,  it makes you look interested or confident or something and so I tried it.  Silly, huh?  And here you probably thought I had it all together.  Hey, here she comes.  I really enjoyed talking with you. What was your name again?” 

“Jess, blabbermouth for short.  And Kevin.  I think she’ll say yes.”

“Thanks” he whispered.  And he turned his attention to Beth as she approached the table.  Kevin gently took both of Beth’s hands in his and looked at her. Jess could tell he was making great eye contact. She was quietly rooting for him.  Go Kevin!

Kevin wiped a tear from Beth’s face, his hand remaining on her cheek. “Beth, I want us to be a family; you, me, and Kelsey.  Will you, um, you think we could, um…?” He glanced at Jess and she nodded and smiled.  “I love you and I think we could make a terrific family.  And I swear I won’t turn into a jerk like you-know-who.  I’m in it for the long haul…”

Both took his hands and smiled. “Kevin. I love you.  So shut up and just ask the question already.”  Kevin got on one knee as Beth rolled her eyes and smiled, looking embarrassed or maybe excited. Who knew?  Kevin dug deep in both pockets, finally locating the tiny box.  Opening it, he began “Beth, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?” 

“Yes.”  Tears were dripping everywhere; Beth, Kevin, Jess, and a few other casual observers within earshot, all dabbing at their eyes.  Kevin slid the diamond ring on her finger then bumped the table with his shoulder as he was standing, knocking his glass of water over.  Both giggled and Beth hopped up before the water dribbled on her pants.  Jess thought Kevin did an awesome job of the proposal.  And who cares if he was klutzy,talked too much, was nervous and told a 14 year old stranger about his girlfriend’s life story.  He got the girl.  That’s what counts.  He was gentle and honest and Jess thought Beth was lucky to have him. 

As they were hugging, Jess noticed some other people at the surrounding tables smiling, and a few even dabbing their eyes.  She wasn’t the only one people watching that day.  Jess quietly gathered her books, tossed the remains of her tepid coffee and left the restaurant. She made eye contact with Kevin as she walked in front of the plate glass window outside the café.  He nodded, she waved.  How’s that for body language, she thought.  Two awkward people made a difference in each other’s life for a brief moment and probably broke at least a few appropriate social rules in the process.

She had an hour before her mom was to meet her and she still had shopping to do.  Walking through the mall, she decided on her next mission.  Mission Rekindle.  She was going to find out how her dad proposed to her mother and get them talking about when they fell in love.  It was going to start tonight.  It was Christmas eve and she thought she could pry her dad’s cell phone out of his hands for a few hours, or maybe she’ll borrow the battery.  Then she could get her experiment underway.  As for her own self improvement, she decided she was just fine as she was.  Instead of being upset when the popular guys snub her, she was going to give her fellow geeks a chance.  Maybe at least they will be speaking the same language.