Virtuous

She's clearing away the breakfast things and sees the gift.

Curious fingers trace the ribbon before she slips it off and opens the box.

Two tear-drop shaped earrings, simple, unadorned. The pigeon's-blood color alone tells their value.

He's heading out the door and she wants to stop him – tell him everything he means to her – everything life together with him means to her but her throat's tight and she can't swallow much less get any words out.

"Thank you," she whispers hoarsely.

He shrugs, his voice both gruff and soft.. "I thought they'd look good with your hair."

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10