Ring Worm

Story Submitted by Leanne:

Trevor and I were out to dinner on our first date when he pointed to the gold ring with opal inlay that I wore.  He said, "That's a beautiful ring."

I replied, "Thanks.  It was my grandmother's."

"Can I see it?"

I took it off and handed it to him.  He studied it closely and said, "Wow, that's really nice."

I smiled and said, "Thanks."

Then, he pocketed the ring.  He said, "My grandparents were raised in New York, but they both moved out here, by coincidence, in the same year for college.  Two different colleges, though, and—"

"Excuse me," I said, "Can I have my ring back?"

"Don't interrupt," he replied, then continued, "But they met while both at college out here.  My grandmother was the first woman in her family to go to—"

I broke in, "Give me my ring back."

Trevor raised his voice, "Again with the interrupting.  Cut it out."

"Give me my ring."

"What ring?"

I took a deep breath and said, "I'm going to count to three.  If you haven't given me my ring back, then I'm going to scream for the police.  One..."

"What ring?  What the hell are you talking about?"

"Two..."

"Leanne, are you crazy?  I think you should—"

"Three..."

He stood up as if to leave.  I grabbed his wrist with both of my hands and screamed, "Thief!  Thief!  He won't give me back my ring!"

All heads turned to us.  He jammed his hand into his pocket, slammed the ring on the table, ripped his arm away from me and said, "I was going to give it back, you crazy bitch!  What the hell is wrong with you?" and ran off.

I put the ring back on my hand.  The host who had seated us came over and asked, "Is there a problem?"

I replied, "Sorry about that, but no.  There's no problem anymore."

After a phone call to a friend to come and pick me up, I felt a bit less shaken, but proud of myself for standing up to such a blatant, stupid thief.