Pringle Taylor lives an uncomplicated life in Brooklyn, New York until she is faced with unemployment, and an engagement she doesn't want. Time is marching on for this thirty-year-old but after a pity-party and a bundle o soul searching, she embarks on a totally different life.
Pringle Taylor is thirty, single, tall, lean, smart, and involved in a two-year relationship with Hunter Wilson. Her third floor walk-up in Park Slope is decorated just the way she likes it, and she is rewarded every day teaching at-risk children.
Crisis hits when the head master closes her school due to ecnomics, and Hunter unexpectedly proposes. What to do. While she is fond of Hunter, theirs is more of an uncomplicated romance without excitement. And, while she loves teaching, there are no other Alternative Schools in the area. Does she settle for a predictable married life with Hunter? Does she settle by taking a job she doesn't want?
Excerpt
Hunter was prompt. He rang the apartment buzzer at 5:30 p.m. Pringle pressed the intercom. “I’ll be right down, Hunter.”
“How did you know it was me?”
Pringle smiled knowing he was in a great mood. “It was either you or that other guy. Whichever, I’ll only be a minute.”
She placed a lace shawl around her shoulders, grabbed her clutch bag, and locked the door.
“Hi, honey.” Her heart warmed when she saw Hunter standing in front of her building. She was a lucky gal. No commitments. “I’m so ready for an evening with my man.”
Hunter gave her a bear hug before opening the outside door for them. “I brought the car, but I’d rather walk if it’s okay with you. We can come back for the car after dinner if we don’t want to walk over to the concert.”
“I love the idea of walking. We haven’t been able to do this for ages. So glad all the snow and ice are gone.”
Spring in Brooklyn was always a treat after the harsh winters. Tonight, the air was a mild sixty-eight degrees giving a hint of summer ahead. The smell of lilacs and hardy Jasmine filled the air as they walked along the brownstone-lined streets of Park Slope.
Was it just a few hours ago that she wondered if she really loved Hunter? Now, the thought seemed obsolete. Maybe it wasn’t the most passionate relationship, but she loved being with him. It was comfortable. Easy. He sparked conversation when needed and lapsed into silence when it was required. And, given that he was, what one would call a “catch” she considered herself lucky that he liked her.
Hunter was not only successful, but handsome, with a body that screamed of hours at the gym. She knew he could have most anyone he chose but he had been with her for over two years, and even though she was blond and stood a lean six-foot tall, she was only striking at best. Not pretty. Board straight hair, sharp pointed nose, and eyes too small and close together were not assets, and she knew it. But there is more to a relationship than looks. Together, they shared interests and were goal oriented in their chosen careers. Pringle looked up at Hunter as they strolled along. I’d say we are a perfect match.
At the restaurant, they sat at a corner table that overlooked a herb garden edged with nasturtiums and begonias just beginning to flower. After they ordered, Pringle fixed her eyes on Hunter. The way he fidgeted, she could tell something was on his mind. Not more news. Brooke’s was whopper enough. Heavens, she hoped he hadn’t been transferred or taken a job in another state. She would miss him terribly.
She watched as he squirmed in his chair, took a drink of water, and leaned forward. He took Pringle’s hands in his and gazed into her eyes. “Pringle, I’ve been thinking about something for a long time. I have a question. I love you, and want to take our relationship to the next level. Will you marry me?”
“What?” Pringle jerked her hands away in shock. Had she heard right? No, it can’t be. Just when we’re so settled.
“I know I shouldn’t have sprung it on you so fast. I should have given you warning by leading up to it, but I’m so nervous.” Hunter lowered his head and clenched his hands together on the table. He looked up. “I want to marry you. We’ve been dating for over two years, and I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. I don’t want to waste any more time. I want us to start building a life together. I’m hoping you feel the same way.”
Pringle managed a faint smile and took Hunter’s hand again. “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t expecting that.”
Hunter reached into his pocket and offered a small round box. “I hope you like it. I’ve been looking for just the right ring for months.”
“You’ve been thinking marriage for months?”
“Yep. Gotta admit it’s been on my mind for some time. Surely you’ve thought about it. I know I’m a bit slow on these things, but I wanted to be sure.” He gave a small chuckle. “Guess two years was long enough to think, huh?”
Pringle opened the box with slow painstaking gestures. She gasped as her eyes settled on a white gold engagement ring with two rows of baguette diamonds framing what appeared to be a perfect emerald-cut center stone. There must be at least three carats of diamonds in all, and they sparkled like ice.
“Hunter! It’s beautiful…and so perfect. But, oh my…I just don’t know. I mean this is a monumental thing.” She placed the ring back into the box and closed it. Silence followed. The box lay where she left it.
The waiter came with their orders, breaking the tense moment. Hunter stared at the box on the table, then picked it up and put it back into his pocket. Minutes passed. They began eating, surrounded by an uncomfortable strain radiating through the air.
After what seemed like hours, Hunter spoke. “So, are you thinking about it? Or, since you didn’t put the ring on, shall I assume the answer is no?”
“Of course not. I’m just letting the idea digest.” Grinning, her voice took on a soft sound as she reached across and laid her hand on his. “Let’s finish our meal and talk on the way to the concert.”
Eat she couldn’t. In fact they both picked at their food before finally giving up. Hunter signaled for the check. They stepped outside without a word. The tension was deafening.
Her thoughts raced from anxious to rational. She didn’t want to lose Hunter—that was certain. He was stable, caring, honest, and smart. She’d come to depend on him, and loved being with him. They complimented each other. His low-key demeanor was one of the things that attracted her to him, and he’d often said he loved her assertive drive and personality. Of course she would marry him. She loved him. Anyway there was nothing that said they had to marry tomorrow. They’d have a long engagement.
Hunter placed his arm around Pringle as they walked toward the park. “Honey, have I shocked you into a trance?”
“Sort of,” Pringle admitted. “But, you know I do love you. I just hadn’t thought about marriage at the moment. Gosh, there’s so much for us to talk about. Our work. Where we want to live. Do we want a family right away? How we handle the money, and bunches more.”
“Are you saying yes?”
Pringle stopped, took a deep breath and faced him. “Yes, I am.”
Hunter hugged her and whispered in her ear. “I was so worried you’d say no. Now, we can have all the talks you want. I’m so happy, Pringle. I promise you won’t regret it. I’ll work hard at being a perfect husband.”
“I can’t promise to be a perfect wife, but I’ll be a good one.” She squeezed him. “Let’s get to the concert.”
This exceptional book, Celebrating the Gift of Being Alive, has the perfect thoughts and words for birthdays, graduations, engagements, marriages, and any life celebration or family tradition.
These timeless quotations culled from the celebrated corpus of writings by W.E.B. Du Bois are presented with illuminating introductory essays by Aberjhani. Narration of the Audible book performed by Catherine Byers.
