Unfortunately, he couldn’t find a release valve. His wife had been emboldened by her first foray. She began pressing him, and he knew that he couldn’t hold out long. he broke down over breakfast a couple days later.
“Dear, you’ve been wanting to know what’s on my mind.” She nodded. He hung his head. “It’s about your red ribbon. I am tormented by the mystery of it.”
He waited for her to start screaming. It never came. After a minute, he looked up with caution. Her dark eyes were brimming with tears. She sat down, and took his hands.
“Heart of my heart, please understand. I wish I could share my terrible secret. If there was any way I could tell you, I would. Until the time is right, I cannot reveal the mystery of it.”
He felt tears springing to his eyes. “Darling, I don’t mean to hurt you. It’s been bothering me for a long time. I hid it from you for fear that I would hurt you.”
There was a silence for a long moment. At last, she snuffled, and said, “Darling, I understand. Truly, I understand.”
They sat in silence for a long time. She didn’t extract another promise from him, and he made a conscious effort to keep the lines of communication open.
He tried filling his time with hobbies, and he tried involving her in as much of it as possible. It was hard, and there were many days when temptation seemed overwhelming. However, with is wife’s help, he always prevailed.
He also found his relationship with Chloe blooming as well. The years began flying by, and while the red ribbon was never far from his mind, it was no longer like an itch he couldn’t scratch. She bore him four children, and they were celebrating their twentieth anniversary when she developed a cough that wouldn’t go away.
When she found blood on her handkerchief, it confirmed everyone’s worst fears. She had tuberculosis. She had always been frail-looking, and she was soon bedridden.
One night, she was resting, with her family keeping vigil over her. She opened her eyes, and said, “Children, please leave. I would like to speak privately with your father.”
The children cast quizzical looks at him. He had no idea what this was about, but he gave a nod. They filed out without a word. Robert closed the door behind them. She looked up at him. “Darling, my time is drawing nigh.”
He took her hands, and said, “Don’t talk defeatist! You’ll live to bury us all!”
She smiled. “Darling, I can feel the Dark Angel hovering over me now. I promised when the time was right, I would let you know about my red ribbon.” His breath caught in his throat. “Now is the time.”
His emotions were in a confusing whirl. “Beloved, are you sure?” She nodded. “Even in the extremity of death, I am forbidden to speak of it. I promise you this, though. Untie it, and you shall understand, darling. Give me a kiss goodbye, and know that I will always love you.”
He obediently kissed his wife, and then reached for the ends. His hands trembled. Then he gave a convulsive pull. The loops slipped into the knot, the ribbon came open – and her head fell off!
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