A SOMEWHAT FISHY TALE.

Tess and I were walking by the lake last week (she likes to feed the ducks because it fills her desire for having baby geese, or baby anything, which we've agreed not to do for now) when she threw a handful of bread and her engagement slipped off and landed in the lake. You should have heard her scream !!!😬And then of course, she cried.😭

I love to swim but the thought of spending the rest of the day trying to find a ring in a big lake was....  Okay, I admit it ! I'm lazy by nature. I bought it in an antique shop in London, a replacement for her previous ring that I was never satisfied with although she loved it,  and it was one of her Christmas presents but what were the odds of finding it anyway ???

Tess was distraught, so some helpful kids and I looked for it for an hour but it was impossible. I thanked the kids and gave them ice cream money and we went home.

Me: I'll buy you a new one.
Tess: I do not want a new one. I want that one.
Me: Do you want me to call city hall and ask them to drain the lake ?
She thought about it.
Tess: No.
Me: Don't we have a picture of it somewhere ? I'll take it to a jeweler and have them make one just like it.
Tess: I think you should beat me instead.
Me: That's not funny ! It wasn't your fault.
Tess: Yes, it is. I knew it was loose. I should have moved it to another finger or something.
(She's lost a little weight lately, getting ready for pool weather, I guess.)
Me: Don't worry about it. It's only a ring.
Tess: My finger is naked and cold.
She looked sadly at her cold,naked finger so I went upstairs and got the first ring I gave her and put it on her finger and kissed it.
Me: There.
She burst into tears.

So,the next day, I drove to the lake with my scuba diving gear and found some kids to help me. We spent the better part of  the day looking for the ring, but again, no luck. I gave the kids pizza money, and drove home. I didn't know what else to do.

So the next day I drove back to the lake and went fishing. I told the story to some of the other fishermen but they all agreed that it was doubtful that I would find the ring.

Fisherman 1; Can't you buy her another one ?
Me: Sure, but she wants that one.
Fisherman 3: And you're in the doghouse.
Me: Actually, she put herself there and I want to get her out. She's flooding the place with her tears and the dog wants it's house back.
They laughed.
I caught a couple of fish but my heart wasn't in it and a few hours later I was packing up my gear when I heard an uproar. I went to see what was going on.
Fisherman #1: Hey, could you describe that ring ?
Me: Yeah, it's a heart shaped garnet on a gold band with diamonds on each side.
His little boy, (named TIMMY) held out his hand to me and there it was inside of a fish.
Timmy: My mom always makes us clean the fish before we come home. It was in this one's belly !
YIPPEE !!!😀
Needless to say, I was ecstatic and don't worry, TIMMY and his dad were well-rewarded. I drove home
trying to think of the best way to surprise my Tess and this is what I came up with.

We have a deal too. I fish, I clean the fish, she cooks the fish. So after I cleaned the fish, I posed it with the ring and took this picture. When she came downstairs to cook dinner, I hid and waited for her reaction.
Me: Surprise !!!
Tess: (Lets out a scream to wake the dead. She really could have had a career in horror movies, but I'm glad that she didn't want one.)
Tess: You scared the living daylights out of me !
Me: I scared You ???
Tess: How did you find it ?
I told her.
Tess: Is it really mine ?
Me: Yes. I think it takes longer than three days to make a ring.

And then she smiled and hugged me and kissed me and it was all worth it.
Tess: Poor fishy.
Me: Should we give it a proper burial ?
Tess: Wouldn't you rather eat it ?
Me: Yes.

So she cooked it and it's two friends in lemon, butter and parsley and we gave thanks and ate them.
Me: You aren't wearing your ring.
Tess: I am not taking any chances. I am going to tie it on with a ribbon. Miss Belle always did that when I was little.
Me: You're still little. What's for dessert ?

Me: Ooh ! What's this ?
Tess: We are out of your Chunky Monkey at present, so I improvised.
Me: Yum !
Tess: When you are finished, I have another thank you for you.
Me: Cake ?
Tess: No.
Me: Cookies ?
Tess: No.
Me: Tell me !
Tess: Come upstairs.
Me: Why can't I have it down here ?
She gave me a look.
Me: Oh !☺️

We'll see you next week. 😉