Chapter Twelve:
"Thank you for coming over Margaret," Mrs. Howell said as the last of her group of friends left the Howell's mansion.
Mrs. Howell saw a stately butler walk towards her (She thought his name was Sam). "Mrs. Howell, there is a gentleman on the telephone by the name of Roy Hinkley."
"Oh, where do I know that name from?" she questioned out loud.
"Um, he said you would know him as 'the Professor."
"Oh! I wonder what he would want. Is he still on the line?"
"Yes madam, shall I tell him you will call him back?"
"No, I'll speak to him now." Mrs. Howell responded, following him into a lavishly furnished sitting room. She picked up the phone that was lying beside the receiver, "Hello."
"Yes,
Mrs. Howell?"
"Yes, this is her; I believe you wanted to
ask me something Professor."
"Uh, yes in fact I did. I was wondering if I might have your womanly advice on something of great importance to me."
"Yes, and what might that be?" she questioned curiously.
"Engagement rings."
Mrs. Howell didn't think she had heard the Professor correctly, "I'm afraid I didn't catch that last part. What was it you wanted my advice on?"
"Engagement rings Mrs. Howell," he explained again.
"Oh my. If it's not to bold, I might say that it seems a little out of your character to get engaged to someone after knowing her for only a few months."
"Mrs. Howell, I have known this woman for quite a bit longer than just a few months. In fact, it's been more like a few dozen months and then some."
After doing some quick calculating in her head, Mrs. Howell exclaimed, "Oh my dear boy! But I thought you two weren't on speaking terms."
"Oh, no, we are now definitely on speaking terms," he insisted.
"Oh my, well this is shocking news! Uh, I believe you had a question concerning rings."
"Yes, you see, um, I really am not too good at this kind of stuff and I wanted your opinion before I went and picked one out."
"Oh, well. I know! I'll fly over to Cleveland and help you myself."
"What? No, Mrs. Howell, you don't need to do that."
He was cut off by an excited Mrs. Howell, "No, of course I must. Don't you worry about a thing Professor, just tell me where you want to meet and I'll see you in a few days."
"Well, I'm not in Cleveland right now or Ohio for that matter. I'm doing some research in Maryland."
After making further arrangements, Mrs. Howell replaced the phone on the receiver and hurried excitedly to get packed. She was directing her maid on which outfits to pack when Mr. Howell came in.
"Lovey,
my dear. What on Earth are you doing?"
"I'm going to
help the Professor pick out an engagement ring," she explained
matter-of-factly.
"What? I didn't know the old boy was seeing someone. Who exactly is that he's planning to ask?"
"Ginger."
"But, I thought they had an argument right before we were rescued."
"Oh they did. But anyhow, they're together now," Mrs. Howell said elatedly.
"Well, why do you need to help the Professor pick out a ring?" Mr. Howell questioned stubbornly.
"Oh, you know how naïve the Professor is with little details like that, sentimental details I mean. Besides, I'll only be gone for a day or two."
"Well, never the less, I will be accompanying you, I don't want to leave you out of my eyes for more than 24 hours."
"Oh Thurston, you're so romantic," Lovey sighed.
"No, I just don't think my wallet could handle that," he replied laughing.
Mr. Howell ignored that with a, "Poo!"
Three days later, Mr. and Mrs. Howell and the Professor were peering at jewelry through fingerprint-less glass.
"Oh, how about this one?" Mrs. Howell asked, pointing to one of the rings.
"I don't know, it's very lovely, but I don't think it's right," he answered.
"But Professor, we've looked through about a hundred rings, certainly there's one that's suitable," Mr. Howell complained.
"Oh, hush Thurston, these things take time," Mrs. Howell explained.
The Professor gradually drifted away from the Howell's scanning the cases until his eyes stopped suddenly. He gazed at the ring, knowing he had found the perfect ring; a flawless diamond surrounded by tiny, glistening emeralds. He realized it was the small emeralds that struck him most powerfully; they were almost the exact color of her eyes…
He checked the price below the ring and sighed in despair; he'd never be able to afford it no matter how he scrimped and saved. He looked up to see Mrs. Howell looking at the same ring.
"Oh Professor, it's absolutely perfect! It would go with her eyes so well! You see, you didn't need me, you have excellent taste!"
"Never the less, I'm afraid I can't possibly afford it," he sighed despondently.
"Oh nonsense, Thurston and I will take care of that."
"Mrs. Howell, I couldn't possibly let you do something like that," he objected.
"Poo!
Of course you could, why, if it wasn't for you, we would have
never survived on that silly little island. Just consider it a token
of our gratitude."
"No, I really couldn't…"
"But you must! It's absolutely perfect for Ginger!"
"Lovey, will you let the man speak!" Mr. Howell said in frustration at the thought of donating to any cause besides himself.
"No, now Thurston, you go ask the nice cashier if you can purchase this ring," Mrs. Howell commanded.
Mr. Howell mumbled something that sounded like, "I hope he says no." as he walked over to the cashier to make the purchase. When the money had been exchanged for the ring, Mr. Howell informed the clerk, "You know, the man with the most money isn't always the happiest; his wife is."
Mr. Howell handed the ring, now in a small black, velvet case to the Professor.
"Thank you very much, and mark my words, somehow, I intend to repay you," the Professor informed the couple.
"Believe me, your words are marked," Mr. Howell assured him.
"Well good luck Professor," Mrs. Howell wished him.
"Yes, I certainly hope so. Um, I'd appreciate it if you two didn't mention this to anyone. I'd like to keep it a surprise if she does say yes."
"Certainly, perhaps we'll see you at Christmas."
Ginger stared glumly at a small calendar book she held in her hands; the past month had flown by and she didn't want to believe that tonight was her last night with Roy Hinkley.
Sighing, she glanced at the clock then headed out the door to meet him one last time…
The Professor was wringing his hands as he continued to pace back and fourth outside the hotel. He checked his pocket to make sure he had the ring then attempted to appear calm as he saw Ginger walk towards him, smiling.
He noticed she was wearing the same dress she had been wearing when they were reunited at Simon's Seafood House; it was a flaming red cocktail dress with black trim. He walked over and opened the hotel door for her then took her hand (he silently prayed his hands weren't sweaty).
"Hello, where are we going tonight?"
"I thought we could eat at this little restaurant then walk down to the beach. Are you alright? You sound a little despondent," the Professor examined.
"Oh, I'm just a little sad our wonderful month has to come to an end…" she sighed.
"So am I… But don't let's allow that to ruin our night."
"Are we riding or walking?"
"Walking, is that alright?"
"Yes, that's fine," Ginger replied.
They walked in silence; the Professor was a nervous wreck and Ginger was silently counting down the remaining time she had with him. However, during dinner, they seemed to loosen up and by the time they were finished and started heading to the beach they were deeply involved in conversation.
They sat down on the same rock they had that night almost a month ago, staring into the endless water.
The Professor thought his nerves were going to snap in half if he didn't ask Ginger soon; but he commanded himself to wait until the moment was perfect.
Ginger also thought her nerves were going to snap, she felt so melancholy at the Professor anymore.
"Why does this month have to come to an end?!
The next thing he knew, the Professor found himself go smoothly down onto one knee and produce the ring he'd picked out and spoke the words that had been on his lips for weeks, "Ginger, will you marry me?"
Ginger turned to look at the Professor quizzically. Could this be real? Her heart was screaming at her, begging her to say yes. But something was preventing her from the ability to speak.
"Ginger, listen, I know what you're thinking; that one of us would have to change professions or something. But we wouldn't have to, you see, I figured it all out; we can live in California. That way, you can continue to work in Hollywood, and I can get a job at the Los Angeles University."
"I… I couldn't let you do that…"
"Ginger, it wouldn't matter to me; as long as I was with you, nothing else would mater."
"Are you sure?"
"I am 100 percent positive," he answered. He was holding his breath, waiting for her answer.
She breathed in slowly, then out. She smiled at Roy and gave her answer, "Yes."
