THE RED RIBBON
My wife was a strange woman. I've always known that fact, but I never would have guessed the secret behind that ribbon. A ribbon that she always wore around her neck, day and night it was there. Even when we first met she wore that ribbon. A beautiful silk red ribbon. It was almost enchanting in a kind of way, but at the same time incredibly disturbing.
I remember frequently asking her "Carol I swear, I love you more than life itself and I will hold you till the end of the world. But why do you insist on never removing that ribbon?"
Carol just smiled politely and answered "You will know when you become my husband." And so I did.
On our 5th anniversary I asked the same question. Carol replied "You will know once we have children."
3 yrs later Carol gave birth to 2 beautiful twin girls. When they had grown up and went off to college, I once again asked my dearest wife. She replied "My love when the pain I endure is no more, then you will know." I'd wondered about what she said for years. Pain what pain? I asked this questions at least a thousand of times during the day.
By the time Carol was 76 she grew very ill. A Cancer had spread through out her body. The doctors had determined she would live about another four years. That night when were driving home, Carol began humming song. I remember telling her that it sounded very pretty. She nodded her head and replied "Tonight you will know my secret."
We arrived at our house very late that night. It was cold but there was no breeze. The moon seem to be a small crescent slither in the night sky. Carol had gone ahead of me inside the house, when I entered she had already made her way over to her usual rocking chair. She rocked back and forth and slowly her eyes closed . She began humming the same song from before.
I walked over and sat beside her. I was curious as to what her secret was, but I knew I had to be patient. I've waited 54yrs for the answer to all my questions, I could wait a couple more minutes. Carol abruptly stopped in her chair and fluttered her eyes open. She was exhausted and weak. Her bright blue eyes seemed hazed and distant from me. The cancer had obviously taken its toll.
Finally Carol spoke "Louis, I cant hold this pain any longer and its time to let go. I wont live the 4yrs like the doctors have told you." She pointed towards her neck at the faded red ribbon. " In my entire life I have never told anyone about this ribbon around my neck. But now its secret must die." She slowly raised her hands and untied the bow.
The silk ribbon loosened and gently slipped off her neck, past her shoulders and as it fell to the floor, Carol's head rolled off with it.
THE END