Thursday, February 9, 2012

collection

He wrapped the watch around my wrist. My dad did. A beautiful, slim, silver Seiko. Gently strapped it on the night of my high school graduation. Thus began my love of watches.

There are not too many.
Watches.
Just enough.
Only a few were fancy.
Most nostalgic.
Meaningful.

A time piece is classic.
Forever necessary.
A fashion statement.
A status symbol.
Simply, a watch just is.
Wonderful.

For me.
Anyway.

Rudy was amused with my collection of watches. Seeing them lined up just so on the dresser top. Knowing I would wear a different one on different days. Depending on my mood.

So when he had been going on and on about how he'd like to buy his mom a watch. For Christmas. Or her birthday. Or just because. For some reason, anyway. That it would be his way to gently show her how much he still loved her. Miles and miles away. In another country. A gesture of sorts...... he knew, of all people, that I understood the idea, the feeling behind such a special gift.

One day, the apartment needed some attention. Some cleaning. Clothes needed washing. Pockets needed checking. Just to be sure I wouldn't water down something that didn't need water.

What's this? I asked the walls. Why, it looks like a receipt for a watch. For Rudy's mom? Wow! He picked an expensive watch! A Movado. A sleek, thin, all black one. With a small piece of gold right in the spot where the number twelve should have been. Wow!

Just then Rudy walked into the bedroom, where he found me sitting on the bed, blankets strewn at my feet.

"Um. It's nice that you got your mom a watch but, I'm pretty sure you spent way too much. We can't really be spending money like this." I tried to seem nonchalant.
He stared at me. Hard.
Uh-Oh, I thought. I shouldn't have said anything. That's his mom we are talking about. Buying something for her. Anything. Should not be an issue. Ever. She's a wonderful person. To him. To me.

Rudy stood there, speechless. For a moment. Looked hurt.

"It's not for my mom. It's for you. A gift, for working so hard. For graduating from college. I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you. To add to your collection."

He slowly walked out of the room. I ran to him. Hugged him. And said sorry. Right then and there. That's all I could do. Anything else would have seemed false. Uncaring.

Except for the broad smile spreading across my face. The smile Rudy would eventually see. Knowing what an awesome addition to my family of watches the Movado would make.

(Write on Wednesday prompt: a collection)