Silhouettes In Pearls

    Pearls were for pretty girls when I was growing up.

Blithe and WASPY girls.

They were not seen draping the necks of those girls whose zits were Clearasil resistant.

Pearls were special.

They were the surprise sweet sixteen gift you received after you reigned victorious on the tennis courts. A strand of those tiny little iridescent balls knotted to the next tiny little ball were reserved for WINNERS, ONLY.

Why, you could even see the little rainbows in their little faces when the sun radiated the warmth of its golden rays upon them.

I wanted more than anything to be a pearls kind of girl.

But my family didn’t belong to a country club where old money would drive their spanking new Chevrolets up to the curb and hand their keys to a valet.

What did I know from a valet?

I would have to earn my pearls.

The hard way.

When I was finally gifted with their magic and beauty, they were that symbolic second to last gift a girl receives from the man she loves, the gifting signifying…. THE END…… not for you…but the end…..for him.

You may still be on the dance floor doing your best Watuzzi but whatever it was… you had.. with him…is over… for him.

The bar has closed.
Not a of single drop of single malt scotch can be found anywhere.

The band has been paid.

Their instruments packed up and ready to move on……. to their next gig.When it suddenly dawns on you…the party is REALLY over.

And there is only one thing left in store for you, my friend…..that final gift..

The big one.

The last nail in the coffin.

Yes, that beautiful black mink coat is on its way….to you.

You earned it.

You deserve it.

It even arrives with your initials on the inside..
…monogrammed….

….and accompanied by a note….. signed….

…..WITH ALL MY LOVE…..

But until that day comes.

I stand alone staring at the big oak tree just outside my window.

Its branches are bare and weary from winter but still the old oak tree stands proud.

I caress the strand of pearls that drape around my neck as I patiently wait for the kettle on the stove…..

…. to boil.