The Velvet Box

"The Velvet Box"
Flash Fiction
by Kelli Pliner

The velvet box was coated with a thin layer of dust. Over time the particles had worked the way into the groves between the velvet fabric. The box had sat on that dresser for the days and weeks since he had bought it. Those weeks had quickly become months and now, every time Neil entered the room, the box would stare him down, not releasing itself from his knowledge.

This particular day, Neil had been sitting on the bed all morning, hoping to get up the courage, the courage that he has lacked since he first knew what was written in his heart.

His dark brown eyes focused intensely on the box, but his mind was elsewhere; floating in and out of memory. The room changed hues many times over as his mind flashed through its memories of the moments most precious to him. The images began to melt into each other and then, from nowhere, a soft hint of jasmine filled the air, shocking Neil to break his eyes away from the box and causing the room to return to its true state.

His eyes refocused themselves and for the first time, he saw what had been hidden from him for so long. He stood and with careful, tender steps, walked toward the dresser and the velvet box. As if it had a mind of its own, his hand reached out for the box. It hovered a moment, in uncertainty. Neil closed his eyes. His mind turned to her. Her face, her smile, her eyes. Those eyes…those beautiful dark eyes. The eyes that whenever you gazed into them, they read your very soul.

Neil felt his fingers close around the velvet box and lift it from the dresser. Eyes opened in a daze, Neil walked steadily down the hall, passed others who were there, and into the room where she lay, asleep. With the gentleness of love, he opened the velvet box, and placed the ring on her finger. When she awoke, she would know for certain, the love that he held for her. He tenderly kissed her hand, touched her hair, and without a sound, stood and closed the door.