Seven Years of Wedded Bliss

Jed wanted something special for his seventh wedding anniversary with Sarah. The year was traditionally commemorated with copper, wool, or brass. Lately, it had become desk sets. Desk sets? He wondered if that was an appropriate gift for his wife. She had given him three beautiful children and suffered through so much with him while he was starting his own business.

He remembered back to the days of pancakes and Raman Noodles®. Although she was his business manager he couldn’t see getting her a desk set, even if that was acceptable now. She was so much more to him. He turned his Grand Caravan into the Seven Eleven for a big Gulp before picking Tyler up from soccer.

“How’s it going, Jed?” The kid at the counter asked, recognizing Jed as a regular.

“Not too good, Pat. It’s my anniversary next week.”

“And that’s bad? How many years?” Pat beeped his Slim Jims® and totaled them with his Coke®.

“Seven.” He replied.

“Oh. Not like a real milestone, is it?” the young man quickly covered his tracks, “I mean, like I’m 23. That doesn’t really qualify as an age. You know? Like, my car insurance will go down a bit when I’m 30, but since I turned 21, there’s really nothing else to look forward to, you know? That’s like being married for seven years.”

“You’re not helping, Pat.” Jed opened a Slim Jim® and took a bite, leaning on the counter.

“Well, what do you want to do?” Pat shrugged his shoulders.

“I should take her out. You know, get a sitter for the kids, and take her somewhere nice.”

Pat’s eyes lit up. “Hey, here’s a cool idea! There’s this new place that just opened up on seventh avenue! It’s a fancy steak and shrimp joint. Nothing that I could afford working at a place like this,” Pat looked around the convenience store, “but it’s a pretty special place to take that special someone, from what I’ve heard.”

“Hey, you may have something there, Buddy! I’ve gotta run pick up Ty. I’ll catch you later.” Jed tossed his empty wrapper in the garbage can and strutted out of the store. The place Pat told him about sounded perfect. If the place was as good as it sounded, he might get away with a desk set afterall.

Later that night, Jed excused himself from the latest episode of 7th Heaven and went to his study, saying that he had work to do. He still wanted to find something for Sarah for their anniversary. First he set up the reservations at the new restaurant. They assured him the best table for his special occasion. Next he searched the Net, looking for the perfect gift in brass or copper. He’d crossed wool off the list. Too itchy and too hot.

After a pot and a half of coffee and two bags of microwave popcorn, Jed was sure he’d found the perfect gift. They spent their honeymoon learning to scuba dive. Jed knew they would never dive again, living in Kansas, but accepted Sarah’s idea that they learned something new and always kept things fresh. She said it would keep their relationship interesting.

He called his mother-in-law. “Mom, I’m planning an event for Sarah and me. Think you could watch the kids for a few days?”

“A few days? Jed, I’m impressed. Sarah has been getting really stressed with the business and the kids and all. I think it’s wonderful that you want to take her away for so long! Of course we’ll take the little ones. We’d be happy to have them!”

“You’re the best, Mom!” Jed had called Sarah’s parents Mom and Dad since he could remember. He hung up the phone, ecstatic with his new purchase. He called the restaurant and cancelled the reservations. He had a much better plan. This would be a new adventure for the two of them. It would get him away from his business that he had toiled over, but that his brother was more than capable of running. Construction was Ron’s thing. Jed was made to be in the public eye. He knew this would be a great thing for his family.

He couldn’t wait to tell Sarah. He couldn’t keep the secret. He went to the bedroom, where a worn-looking Sarah was getting ready for bed.

“Honey, you know how we always talk about keeping things fresh and new?”

“Yes, Baby,” she yawned, pulling back the covers of the bed. “Mary’s diaper’s and new and fresh. Tyler’s soccer uniform is new and fresh. Matt’s homework… well, we’ll see about that in the morning. Oh, and I finished that presentation for the Jenkins for tomorrow.”

“I’ve got a great idea for our seventh anniversary,” Jed blurted, not hearing her. “I think you’re going to love it!”

“Mmm, hmm,” she muttered, laying down with her eyes already closing to slits.

“Honey, I just bought the Lucky 7 on the edge of town!”

“What?” Sarah sat straight up in bed. “We’re going to run a bar now, too?”

“Not just a bar, Honey!” Jed threw his hands up in triumph. “That place is a gold mine! Ron can run Martin’s Construction. Of course, you can still do the books, because I know how much you like to do that kind of thing. But then, in your spare time, you can do the menu and the food and all that stuff at the bar. You’re the best cook. Is this exciting or what? We’re going to be proprietors! We’re going to own our own bar and grill! Happy Anniversary, Honey!”

“Is this what they meant by the Seven year curse?” Sarah flopped back in bed, covering her eyes with her hands.

Word Count: 958