As Ann and Don carried the many boxes containing sentimental items from her life with Freddie down to the incinerator, she felt guiltier than before.
Donald smiled in satisfaction as he placed the boxes on the cold cement floor. "Well, that's all of them. Shall we make this a ceremonial burning? Which box should we start with first?"
"Um, Donald, wait."
"What's wrong?"
"Well, I-."
"Don't tell me, you've changed your mind. I can't say that I'm happy about that, but it's a woman's prerogative. After all, you've had quite a history with him and truthfully I barely know the guy and-."
"He's a fink, Donald!"
"A-a what?"
"He's a fink and a rat and a horrible person!"
"I see… but why the change of heart? Because not too long ago you invited him to dinner and-."
"Oh, I wish I hadn't done that. And I wish you had gotten here a lot sooner!"
"Well I tried to, honey, but work-."
"I don't mean to blame you, Donald! I really don't! It's not your fault. It's not your fault at all! It's mine!"
Ann didn't expect to burst into tears and she barely felt Donald's arms around her, making her feel safe.
"Honey, don't cry. I understand why you wanted to keep those things. After all, you said it yourself. Your whole life is in these boxes."
"Yeah, well my life isn't all it's cracked up to be."
"What is it, honey? I've never seen you quite so emotional. Look, I know I misjudged him and I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."
"You were right Donald, about everything. Freddie is a fink and a rat and… a lot of other words that a lady really shouldn't say!"
"You're scaring me. What happened?"
"What didn't happen? He showed up for dinner and we sat on the sofa. We started talking and…"
"And?"
"Well, he started telling me about his wife… or rather ex-wife. I told him that I was sorry and that maybe he should talk more about it to get it out of his system."
"And did he?"
"Oh he got it out of his system all right. He told me about Carol and Nancy… and Betty!"
"I take it those aren't his daughters."
"Hardly. Donald, he's had three wives!"
"Oh…"
"And he kept getting them mixed up!"
"I see.."
"And to make matters worse, he wanted me to be number four whether I liked it or not!"
"Wait, what?"
"That's right. He was all over me, kissing me and… well who knows what else he would have done had I not thrown him out!"
"Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Oh, I was too embarrassed. I had him so high on a pedestal that he could have touched the clouds. Donald, I'm sorry I doubted you."
"It's all right. And I promise he'll never bother you again."
Ann smiled as Donald brushed away her tears and kissed her.
"Thank you. Shall we commence with the burning?"
"Absolutely. Let's start with this box."
Ann dug through the box and began tossing items like her certificate for a perfect spelling test; thanks to Donald who quizzed her on how to spell certificate and she spelled it wrong.
"One program from 'The Neurotic Diet'" Ann announced.
"Hey wait a minute, didn't you and I see that play together?"
"You're absolutely right. I'll save it."
"Great." Donald set it aside and smiled. "This will be the first item in your Don Hollinger collection."
"And it will be the first of many. Donald I promise not to throw away anything that pertains to our life together."
"And I'll do the same."
"So what should we do after we burn all of this stuff?"
"Well, it's late, but actually I haven't eaten."
Ann gasped. "My dinner! Oh, it's probably burned to a crisp by now!"
"Just the way I like it."
"Really?"
"Yes and I suggest that we take a picture for prosperity."
"What on earth for?"
Donald took her in his arms and kissed her.
"Because I want to remember this moment for the rest of our lives."
~Fin~