It’s the morning of Phyllis and Joyce’s big party and Shane and Molly are out walking Bella, their new puppy. Shane has her arm wrapped around Molly’s waist and Molly has her hand tucked into Shane’s back pocket.  They are discussing the party tonight.

            “Is everyone else going?” Molly asks.

            Shrugging her shoulders, Shane replies, “Yeah, I think so. I know Bette and Tina are.”

            They walk side by side for a few moments in silence when Molly asks, “So you really think my mom and Joyce are going to announce their engagement?”

            “I don’t know what else it could be, Moll,” Shane says. “Why else would they throw such a big party?”

            “I guess. Well, if that’s what it is, then great. I’m happy for my mom if she’s found someone she wants to share her life with.”

            “I thought you thought marriage was an ‘antiquated tradition’….?” Shane quips.

            “I did….I do.” Molly pauses, stops and looks at Shane. “I don’t know. When I said that, I just knew that marriage was not for me when it came to Richard. I’m not opposed to the idea of marriage. I just think it needs to be for the right reasons. You know?” Molly takes a breath, as Shane watches her intently. “It should be because you want to be with someone, and only that person for the rest of your life. Not just because you think you should or because that’s what everyone tells you should do. Marriage should be a real partnership.”

            Shane smiles and gives Molly a quick peck on the lips. “Very true.” Grabbing Molly’s hand, she starts walking again. “I don’t know how I feel about the whole marriage thing. I thought I could do it once, but now, I don’t know. I know that I envy those that can do it. That can commit to something like that.”

            Molly stops suddenly and asks, “So you don’t think you’d ever get married?” She tries to play off her surprise, but Shane picks up on it.

            “Honestly, I don’t know…”

            Molly averts her eyes from Shane’s gaze and quickly says, “Oh.”

            Shane steps close to Molly and presses her body up against hers. She moves her head to Molly’s sightline and smiling sweetly, says, “But, if I were to ever want to, it would be to you.”