Knight Vision by Johanna Bock Page A

circle the park, she was not really thinking so much as crying.    She stopped at the swing set and straddled the seat.  Without thinking, she plopped down hard on the seat.  The minute her bottom touched the seat, she knew it was a mistake as pain coursed through her core.  Grabbing the chain of the swing with both hands, she bit down hard on her lower lip to stifle her scream.  Renewed tears ran down her cheeks, as she shifted her weight to ease her discomfort.  As the pain subsided, she lifted her feet and started to swing.  The rocking position reminded her of the previous night in his arms.  Her thoughts changed drastically from self-pity to pleasure as she mentally replayed the activities between them.  The ice which had formed around her heart and soul receded as she recalled his tenderness to her.  Maybe there was a reason for the dreaded ring, which had occupied her thoughts for the last hour.  Maybe he wore it to ward off any unwanted advances.  After all, he was a stunningly good-looking man. 
    She needed to hear it from him, and decided not to talk to Leah about the ring.  Leah , she thought.  She was usually so observant; surely, she would have noticed the ring.  Why didn’t she say anything about it?  It wasn’t like Leah to keep things from her.  Leah was very straightforward about things; she shot from the hip.  Annie just couldn’t believe something as important as a wedding ring could be missed by both of them.
    Getting off the swing, she headed to her car.  A new sense of purpose pulsed through her.  She had reconsidered her idea about talking to Leah.  She knew she had to talk to her; she just didn’t know if she would bring up the ring or not.  She drove directly to Leah’s house.
     
    ***
     
    As she rang the doorbell, she debated on how to tell Leah about the previous night, but when Leah opened the door, she surprised herself by crying out,  “Oh God, Leah, I think I am in love.“
    “Annie, what happened?“ Leah asked, smiling and inviting Annie into the house. 
    “What didn’t happen is more like it,“ Annie responded as she entered.  Annie greeted Leah’s mom as she and Leah moved off to the back Arizona-room. 
    As Leah shut the connecting door, she asked, “Okay, Annie.  Out with it all.“ 
    Annie made her way to a chair with Leah right behind her.  As they sat, Annie told Leah about the previous night, leaving out the real-intimate details, but did tell her that she and Jeff had made love.
    Leah was surprised, but not shocked, by what Annie told her.  “Annie, are you sure you know what you are doing?“ she questioned.
    “I can’t believe it, Leah.  Mom asked me the very same question,“ Annie stated.  “Why can’t you both just trust me?“
    “I guess we both just know you wear your heart on your sleeve,“ Leah responded.  “You are too trusting when it comes to others.  However, if you are happy, then I am happy for you.“
    “Leah?“ Annie said seriously.  “I have to ask you something.“  She knew she would breakdown and ask this question even before she had it out; she knew she had Leah attention.  “Did you notice a ring on Jeff’s hand?“  Feeling better having it out in the open, she waited for the response.
    “A ring?“ Leah questioned.
    “Yes, a wedding ring,“ Annie pressed.
    “NO!“  Leah reported with a surprised look on her face.
    “I didn’t either,“ Annie breathed.  “But, my mother did last night when he arrived to pick me up.“
    For several minutes, they discussed how they could have missed it.  “Annie, I saw the way he looked at you and treated you,“ Leah said.  “I cannot believe he would make a fool out of you.  It just doesn’t add up.“
              Feeling better that Leah’s remarks mirrored her own, Annie couldn’t help but smile.  Leah noticed the smile and asked.  “Why are you smiling?“  Annie shared her inner turmoil, which had plagued her earlier at the