“
There was no way that man would be able to pick up the cup and get it all the way to his mouth before it spilled all over. But he kept smiling, as if he had a great big trick up his sleeve and w proud of it. What was he going to do? With those With those crazy shak ing hands, he reached into his coat and brought out a straw
"A straw."
"Yup. A big, long, yellow straw that he dropped right into the cup. It looked like a little kid was going to use it, but the thing worked perfectly. Think about it for a minute. After it was in, he didn't once have to use his hands, just his lips. But you know what I loved most? After he took his first sip, he looked up with the proudest expression on his face. No double crossing hands were going to stop him from having his coffee."
She slid closer to me. "I like that story."
"I liked seeing it, but you know what struck me after I saw him? The first thing? That I had to tell you about it. Partly because I want to tell you everything now, and partly because because you're my straw, Maris. Without you, I know this now, there'd be no way I'd ever be able to"
"Drink coffee?” She giggled.
"Drink my life. I've been trying to think of a good way of letting you know how much I love you. Seeing that guy showed me. Before you, I had such shaky hands. I know you won't, but I love you so much I wish you'd marry me."
She put a hand over my mouth and said "Ssh!" But also smiled-beamed-so at least I knew she'd been thinking about it, too.
”
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