Calgary, April 2024
It was getting close to John and Mary’s wedding anniversary, and John was thinking about a nice present for Mary. For example, golden ring. But John wanted something special, not the usual stuff they sell in all the jewelry stores. He did a bit of research and found a place where they might have exactly what he was looking for.
“Hello, how can I help you?” greeted him an old jeweller when John entered his store.
“I am looking for a golden ring for my wife. It will be my present for our wedding anniversary.”
“Do you have any price range in mind?”
“No, I have no idea how much those things cost.”
“OK, let me show you some samples,” and the jeweller brought various rings from the back of the store. John looked at them and didn’t know what to say. To him, they all appeared the same.
“If I can make a suggestion, I would recommend this one,” said the jeweller and pointed to one of the samples. “This ring is special. When your wife wears it, she will always love you,” and he gave John a friendly wink.
“OK, I will take it.” Jeweller put the ring into a box, John paid and when he was leaving, he heard the voice calling to him: “Good luck with the ring.”
Then, when they were planning the celebration, Mary suggested to have it at home. “It would be more intimate than in the restaurant,” she said, and then added: “I would also like to invite my friend, Andrea, you know her from our office parties. She is recently divorced, and she is lonely."
John didn’t object, so when the day came, all three met for dinner in John and Mary's apartment. There was the usual welcome, congratulations on their anniversary, toasts to happiness, and then John gave Mary the ring.
"This is beautiful," she said, put it on her finger and kissed John.
Andrea was also admiring it. “Indeed, it is beautiful. Can I try it?”
“Sure,” said Mary and put the ring on Andrea’s finger. But then something strange happened. Andrea took John’s face into her hands, gave him a long kiss, and said: “I love you.” Mary couldn’t believe it. “What are you doing?”
“I always loved your husband,” Andrea said and smiled at Mary.
“You can’t have him, he is my.” Mary was becoming annoyed, and John gently pushed Andrea away. “You should give the ring back to Mary,” he told her. Andrea pulled the ring out from her finger, and it was as if she woke up from a dream. “What happened?” she asked.
“Nothing,” replied John quickly, before Mary could say anything.
The rest of the dinner went smoothly. Then it was getting late, Andrea left, and John and Mary went to bed. Mary had the ring on her finger, hugged John, and he thought: “The jeweller was right. This is a magic ring.”