No diamonds

Word count 524

No diamonds?


Tony sat across the table from me, his dark eyes looking piteous. Somewhere in the far reaches of my heart, I wanted to tell him everything would be alright, but not this time. I needed comfort sometimes too. His sudden anger at my recent purchase was in my opinion, completely unfounded. I know times are tough. Everyone has had to cut back some. We both work though, so shouldn’t I be entitled to something new every now and then?

He seems not to remember the new drill he bought last week which I am sure makes drill number 294. Oh, but he had to have it. Now it lays on his work bench still in the box it came in along side the new sander, router, and so many other things he’s purchased since ’times got tough’.

I’ve had to scrimp too. Cook every night instead of enjoying an evening out together every now and then. Tony’s always  complaining about everything and I try hard to cut back but isn’t it a two way street? Couples should work together, not against one another.

This last argument was one for the books though. My heart is broken, not only because of what he said, but also at the prospect of what he said being true. He told me I have no sense of money, no idea what a budget is for. His exact words. “You want a life of diamonds and riches.”

So now we set here. Tony’s piteous eyes have turned to glaring at me. He wants me to give in, admit he was right, do what he says. Not this time. I try a new ploy. “Tony, I don’t want to fight. I’ll take the purse back,” I say hoping he will give in…but something in my tone must have been a dead give-a-way that I intend to keep the purse…no matter what. A small smirk creeps across his face.

“Babe, you want diamonds. I can only give you rhinestones, glitter and sequins. That’s our life in a nutshell. Won’t you admit $279.00 is a bit much for a purse?” His black eyes had softened and so did my heart. I wanted to rush into his arms and beg forgiveness for my extravagance. Perhaps he’s right. Maybe I don’t know how to handle a budget but I wanted this purse for so long and when it came on sale, I couldn’t help myself.

My artifice didn’t work I guess so now my purse must go back and I’m back in the world of rhinestones. I hate to admit when Tony’s right but sometimes I must. He gives me a soft kiss on my forehead and a hug. I nestle my head in his neck.


“I’ll make a deal with you,” Tony says.

“What’s that?”

“If you promise not to buy another purse  for 2 years, then you should keep this one. Sometimes you have to realize exactly where the diamond is and in this life you’ve given me, you are the diamond. If I can have one, so can you.”

Now a smirk crosses my face. I won!