Page 141 of Perfect Mess

“Let’s do the last question,” Gary said, deftly changing the subject. He read the question from the trivia sheet. “The Eastern white pine is a majestic conifer known for its towering height and historical significance.”

Ugh, more tree stuff.

I closed my eyes and pressed my fingers to my temples, rubbing them gently to ward off the coming migraine. Just when I thought the morning couldn’t get any worse, Gary had found a way to combine history facts and tree facts together.

“Its soft, workable wood and minimal resin content fueled a booming lumber industry and, in 1895, became this state’s state tree.”

In their latest annual report, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, reported over one hundred tree related fatalities in the United States last year. Most were from wind blown falls or accidents people had while climbing. Mine was going to be the first tree related death linked to tree trivia boredom.

I looked at the tree in front of me. It was a fine-looking tree, as far as trees go. Majestic seemed like a bit of a stretch.

“Maybe it says it on the sign,” Gary offered. By this point, he looked like he was shooting up espresso through an I.V., plugged directly into his veins. And whatever it was in his pocket, he was fiddling with it constantly.

I read the sign. “Maine,” I said. “It’s Maine’s state tree.”

“What are Maine’s initials?”

“I have no idea. Just write Maine.”

“I’m pretty sure we can only put down the abbreviation,” Gary said.

“Well, we wouldn’t want the tree trivia police to come and arrest us now, would we? Fine. I’ll Google it.” I googled it. “The letters M and E.”

“And we’re finished!” For some reason, Gary’s voice had gone a couple of octaves higher. I really thought maybe he was coming down with something.

“Here, maybe you should double-check my answers,” Gary said. He handed me the sheet.

“I’m sure they’re fine.” I began heading back down the path.

“I really think you should check them,” Gary said again. “In case I made a mistake.”

“I trust you.” I kept walking. As soon as we got back to the nature center, my plan was to throw the stupid trivia sheet in the trash anyway.

“Mary.”

I stopped and turned.

“Read back the answers on the sheet. Please.”

“Fine,” I grumbled. I looked down at the answers Gary had written. Apparently, it was a good thing that I was double-checking after all. “You forgot the O and the W at the end of the word willow,” I said. “You wrotewillinstead ofwillow, and then yew, Mary, and an M and an E. Hand me the pencil and I’ll fix it.”

When I looked back up, Gary was down on one knee. At first I thought his shoe was untied. Then I saw he was holding something. When I looked closer, I saw he was holding a ring.

“Read it back one more time,” said Gary.

My hands were shaking so badly I could barely see the words on the page.

1. Will

2. Yew

3. Mary

4. M.E.

Epilogue

“And that, boys, is how your Grandpa Gary and I fell in love.” Mary leaned back against the pillows, her two grandsons snuggled deep in her arms.

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