Page 137 of Assassin

“It’s Karen. It’s six dollars,” she said.

That hit him hard.

And there was his sign.

Yeah, he’d asked for one, and the universe had delivered.

“Karen, huh?” he asked, pulling out a twenty and giving it to her.

“Yeah, boring name, I know. My mom could have been a little more creative, but it is what it is,” she said, making change.

He stopped her.

“You can keep it. I’m good. Think of it as a tip to support the Girl Scouts. My daughter used to be one.”

She smiled at him.

“Thanks! Have a good day,” she said, heading down the street to the next person.

That hit him in the feels.

Only, regarding marrying Calyx, he felt better.

It was clear that his wife was with him, and that meant his little girl was too. Spirits ran wild in NOLA, and he trusted that he’d carry them with him forever.

“Thanks, Karen,” he whispered to his deceased wife. “I needed that.”

Heading into the ring shop, he browsed as he waited for someone to help him.

When a pretty brunette headed his way, he was already sure what he wanted.

“Cher, what can I get you?” she asked.

He was to the point.

“I’m going to propose to my woman. How about that emerald cut ring?”

She pulled it from the case, and showed him.

“What size ring finger does your girl have?” she asked as she tried to help him.

That was a good question.

He stared at her hand, and Calyx’s fingers seemed pretty similar.

“Close to yours.”

The woman said nothing, but Remmy knew what she was thinking. He didn’t even know his girl’s ring size.

The old him would have freaked out and panicked, thinking that was a sign, but the new him…

He wanted to live.

He could get that ring sized later if need be.

“Can you put that ring on your finger for me?” he asked, and she did.

When he looked at it, there was nothing but happiness in his heart. It screamed Calyx. She was tough, but she loved being a woman. She deserved that ring.

---