50. Mason
Chapter 50
Mason
November 2023
I never knew how difficult it would be to pick out an engagement ring. It’s not even about Cal being picky because I think she’d be happy with a string if that’s all I could afford. There’s just so many options to choose from. What color band do you want, what style band do you want, what setting do you want, what stone do you want, what size carat do you want, the list goes on and on.
The jeweler is trying to explain the differences in size, shape, and band width and I’m sitting here completely confused.
“Can you show me a few rings that have those different options? I honestly had no idea this much went into picking out a ring, if I’m being honest.”
“Yeah, sure. Let’s head over to this display case where we’ve got a mixture of styles showcased.” He leads me over to the far left of the store. There’s a display case housing at least twenty rings in all sizes and shapes. “So here we’ve got mostly gold bands, but we’ve got a couple of platinum, too. They’ve gotten more popular lately, so we try to always keep some in stock. Do you know what metal you’d like for your band?”
“That’s one question I do know the answer to.” I chuckle nervously. “I’d love a platinum band. The other jewelry she wears is silver, and it’ll match best.”
“Okay, we can work with that. If we don’t have anything you’d like in store, we can create one online and get it ordered for you. Now, did you want a plain band or stones down the sides?”
“I like how this one here looks. With the stones going a quarter around on each side. And I think I want the stone size and shape of this one over here.” I say, pointing at two different rings.
“That’ll be gorgeous. It’s a pave band and a radiant cut 3-carat stone. Let me create it on our website and I can show you what it would look like before you commit.” I follow him over to where the register is, and he pulls out a tablet and starts creating the ring I have in mind. “Okay so here’s the options you’ve picked so far. Platinum pave band, 3-carat radiant cut stone. Do you like how that looks or did you want to play around with the options?”
“Nope, that’s the one. I love it. I know she’ll love it, too.” I can feel the tears coming but take a deep breath trying to keep them in. As soon as he turned the tablet around to show me, I knew immediately that was what I was going to get. I got this feeling in my gut, and something was just telling me this is what to go with.
Now that I’ve got the ring ordered it’s time to come up with a plan for asking Callie to spend the rest of her life with me.
I already know that I'm including Emily in on this. She'll know exactly what to do and how to make it a surprise.
Me: Hey! I need to talk to you, asap. I need your help with something.
Em: Help? *shocked face emoji* Is this what I think it is, Mason?!?!
Me: Probably. I just ordered a ring for Cal and I need your help planning the proposal and how we’re getting everyone to my parents. I want to ask her on Christmas. I just don’t know how to do this without her finding out.
Em: I got you. Don’t even worry about it.
Me: Thank you Em. I appreciate it. A lot.
Em: Don't even mention it! This is my sister and I'm STOKED to be a part of this.
I put my phone back in my pocket and prepare myself for my next meeting. This will be our third meeting and we've got court tomorrow. She called the other day asking if we could get together before court to go over our plan and she has a few more evidence documents for me, too.
The bell above the door jingles and I hear Julie, my paralegal, welcome Mrs. Townsend. I stand and walk out into the lobby to greet her.
"Hello, Mrs. Townsend. Come on back and we'll go over what you've brought in and what our game plan is for tomorrow."
She follows me into the office and I close the door behind her. I've got my work cut out for me with this case but I'm hoping the evidence she claims to have will be enough to win the judge over.
"Thank you for meeting with me Mr. Ward. Here are the documents with evidence of the damage done to my property. There are pictures and I've got camera footage as well. Thankfully a neighbor's front door camera got footage of what went down that evening and she's willing to hand it over if needed."
"Let's take a look and then we'll get that footage if I feel the pictures won't be good enough." I open the manila envelope and pull out a handful of pictures that appear to be stills taken from the camera footage she's claimed her neighbor is willing to provide to the court. As I'm going through them I stop on one picture that despite being a little grainy has a clear view of a face. "Go ahead and get that camera footage on a flash drive for me. We'll have it tomorrow if needed but this image, right here, is pretty clear. You can see the person's face and from the other pictures you provided earlier you can prove that's your property that they're on."
"Okay, I'll call her when I leave here and make that happen. Thanks again for meeting me today. I really appreciate it. I can't wait for this nightmare to be over with." Mrs. Townsend lets out a deep breath. She's been dealing with this for a while going back and forth with the police on the matter.
"You're welcome and give me a call if you need anything else before tomorrow."
"Will do." I lead her back out into the lobby and tell her I'll see her tomorrow at the courthouse.
"Members of the jury, you have heard all of the testimony concerning this case. It is now up to you to determine the facts. You and you alone, are the judges of the fact. Once you decide what facts the evidence proves, you must then apply the law as I give it to you to the facts as you find them." Judge Wilson says as he faces the jury.
It feels like hours pass while we sit here waiting for the jury's decision. Everyone is nervous. I am confident that I've stated my client's case well and provided the evidence needed to prove the defendant is guilty.
The jury walks back into the courtroom and Judge Wilson says, "Have you reached a verdict?"
"We have, your Honor."
Judge Wilson nods for them to go ahead with their findings.
"We the jury, in the case of Mrs. Townsend versus Mr. Mills, find the defendant guilty of the charge of vandalism and property damage."
Judge Wilson closes out the court, "Thank you, Jury, for your service today. The court is adjourned."
I can hear gasps and sighs let out throughout the courtroom and when I look over at Mrs. Townsend she's crying. You can tell by the look on her face that she's relieved.
"Hey, it's okay. Let's go outside."
Mrs. Townsend stands and we find our way through the crowd and out the front doors of the courthouse.
"I know it's been a long few months dealing with this but it's over. You won. Go home and celebrate. You deserve it."
A small smile forms on her face. "Thank you for working on me with this and sticking through til the end. I'll never be able to thank you enough."
"No worries, seriously. I know how appreciative you are."