Picnic

The sun was beating mercilessly down on me. It was just my luck that I had chosen one of the hottest days of the year for an outing.

Maxim Trevelyan
Writer, Ravenclaw

The sun was beating mercilessly down on me. It was just my luck that I had chosen one of the hottest days of the year for an outing. I was feeling whimsical and asked Catherine if she wanted to go on a picnic by the river nearby our home. There was a perfect green patch of grass just where the river turns to the right and goes by the bigger town. Which is where we currently sat, on a red and white checkered blanket.

Catherine was rummaging through a wickerwork basket that held our food and utensils, pulling out two glasses. “I’m happy we decided to do this, though I’m surprised at you Gerry,” she smiled, giving me a fond look. “You’re not the one for sudden surprises.”

“Can’t become too predictable, can I?” I nudged her with my foot, causing both of us to chuckle, as I was notoriously predictable. It was a wonder that Catherine did not get too bored of me and left. The movement of my foot caught on the object resting in my left pants pocket. The real reason what I asked Catherine here today. I rested my hand against it. For something so small, it was unbearably heavy.

I helped Catherine with unloading the food, occasionally glancing towards the lazy running river. It looked so calm and it brought my nerves down as well. I patted the pocket again and then stretched for a glass of orange juice that Catherine offered me.

We chatted for a couple of minutes, enjoying the scenery and good food. After we finished dessert, I stood up and made a few circles around the blanket, drawing weird looks from Catherine.

Stopping before her, I started talking, knowing if I stopped, I would lose courage immediately. “Catherine, I love you. I have loved you for the five years we have been dating and three years before that, when we were friends. And I want to love you until the end of our lives. I love it when you snort and giggle when you read books, and I love it when you get teary while watching Disney movies. I love it when you say you look a mess, but I can only see perfection. I-I-I just…” I trailed off, taking a black tungsten ring out of my pocket.

“Will you marry me Ca-“ I did not get to finish the question before I was tackled to the grass by a very enthusiastic girlfriend.

“Of course I will, you big dummy!” she practically screamed in my ear. It was a good day.