Chapter 3

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry this chapter is on the short side; the next chapter will make up for it, as I had put some more time and thought into it.

Irene was so caught up in the memory of that starry night that she realized that it was well past 8 o'clock. The chimes from the clock in the living room rang loudly, snapping her back into reality. Gazing at the mess she had made with Dell's letters, she sighed. "I created a bigger mess than before." As she started to pick them up, he noticed that there was a small black box inside of the shoebox that contained the letters. It must have been covered by the bundles of letters Irene had been keeping for the last few years. Wondering what was inside of it; Irene picked up the box and opened it, now realizing what its contents where.

It was a pin in the shape of a honey bee. She had put it in the shoebox for safe keeping and had forgotten about it until now. Its body was made of faux yellow gems, accented with faux white gems for the stripes and wings. A shiny, black stone was used for its head. The pin itself was an everyday, run of the mill brooch, but it was beautifully crafted. Irene remembered the day Dell bought this for her.

…..

It was after she helped him get out his apathy state from the over load of school work he had at the time. They were walking past a jewelry store when the pin caught Irene's eye. Dell noticed her gazing at it and told her to wait a minute. He went inside the store and came back out a few minutes later; presenting Irene with the honey bee that had just been in the window display.

"Oh Dell, you didn't have to buy it!" she chided him, but he put a finger to her lips.

"Hush now, Honey Bee. We're about ta graduate soon an' I figured why wait to give you your gift when I could just give it to ya now."

"I appreciate your kindness, but really, you didn't have to buy me anything."

"Don't be so modest! After all that you've done fur me; you put up wid my behavior for the last few months and stayed by my side. No other girl would be so patient an' caring."

Dell did have a way with words. It was one of the many qualities she loved about him. Irene took the pin and placed it on her shirt. "How do I look?" she asked. "Beautiful as always." Dell told her as he took her into his arms and gave her a kiss on the lips.

…..

She couldn't remember the last time she had worn it. With renewed vigor, Irene went over to the dresser mirror and pinned the jeweled honey bee on her color. Irene touched it gingerly with care. "I'll always be your Honey Bee." she said with fondness.