Part Two
So that evening, summoning up his courage, he walked past Lazer’s jewelers… again. The older man looked out the large display window from his location behind the counter and smiled to himself. The young man had returned. There was something oddly familiar about him, but Nicholas Lazer could not quite put his finger on it. The young man realized Nicholas was watching him and timidly, he entered the store.
“You have been walking back and forth out there for awhile. Is there anything I can help you with?” Nicholas asked in a gentle voice.
The other man nervously touched his glasses and began to speak. His voice broke and then he spoke again. “I… I’m looking for an engagement ring.”
Nicholas chuckled, having gone through this ritual many times. “Why yes, of course. So tell me, what strikes the young lady’s fancy?”
***
Clark groaned inwardly, he should have brought his parents so they could help him decide. Martha Kent was so much like Lois, as an artist and a true free spirit, eagerly ready to explore new places and people. He reflected thoughtfully. <Mom might have a better idea of what would look best on Lois’ hand.>
“We have an excellent selection.” Mr. Lazer spoke, breaking into Clark’s thoughts.
“I have three thousand dollars.” Clark blurted out.
“We can talk money later.” The older gentleman said with a twinkle in his eye. “What would the lady be interested in: gemstones or a diamond?”
“Oh, a diamond, definitely a diamond.”
“Accent stones?”
“No thank you, she doesn’t wear a lot of jewelry.”
Mr. Lazer produced a number of trays so Clark could look at a myriad of rings. He described Lois’ activities in minute detail, hoping the jeweler could locate the right piece. Rings of different shapes, sizes, styles and stone quality were presented and rejected. It was all very overwhelming and after thirty minutes of examining several equally stunning rings his hope of finding just the right one was waning. Nicholas’s thirty years in the business helped him to realize what stone would look best on a busy career woman’s hand.
“I might have just the thing for your future fiancé, sir. Take a look at this one in the last case.”
He reached in and removed a one-carat solitaire diamond in a platinum setting. It twinkled, glistened, and tugged at Clark’s heartstrings. He could see the simple ring adorning her finger next to a plain wedding band for decades to come. That one graceful piece of jewelry said…
“Lois.” Clark breathed. “That’s it. That’s the one. She’ll really like it.”
Nicholas sat back and his ears perked up. Now he remembered where he had seen the young man and his paramour. “Excuse me, is the lady’s name Lois Lane?”
“Yes. Do you know her?”
“No. I do not, but I read articles by ‘The Hottest Team in Town’ all the time. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Kent.”
“Thank you.”
Nicholas rubbed his chin and looked off into the distance. “A few years back a robbery took place in this very store by some android fellow. If memory serves me correctly, the case was cracked due to some pretty fancy detective work from Ms. Lane… and yourself of course. Unfortunately, her sister was involved somehow. I think she knew the guy?”
A shadow passed over his face, remembering the acute pain that particular episode caused in all their lives. Clark merely nodded. “That was Lucy, her sister.”
By the tone of Clark’s voice, the jeweler immediately sensed the subject was an unpleasant one. Nicholas adroitly began to talk on the true matter at hand, namely the ring.
“Miss Lane and yourself do a great deal to help with the community, exposing corruption in corporations and rooting out the criminal element. I cannot possibly charge full price for this ring. It normally goes for twenty-five hundred dollars, but I can sell it to you for fifteen hundred. Such an exquisitely perfect stone shall complement Miss Lane’s beauty and intelligence.”
The young man held the delicate piece of jewelry between thumb and forefinger, he was dreaming again. How might his lovely partner react to seeing it for the first time?
“So, when are you going to ask her?”
“Ask her?” Clark was surprised at how quickly the older gentleman had switched gears.
“To marry you, of course Mr. Kent. When are you going to ask Miss Lane to marry you?”
“I… I don’t know.” Suddenly Clark was overwhelmed with the impact of his decision; it was one thing to dream about asking a woman to become your wife. It was quite another to actually do it! The thoughts made his heart skip a beat and absentmindedly he smoothed his tie.
The jeweler laughed, a pleasant sound, full of warmth and wisdom. “It’s all right, I have seen many prospective grooms. Pick the proper place and time to make both of you happy and the memories will take care of themselves. So, do you think Superman will be serving as your Best man?”
“No.” Clark answered just a little too quickly. “I mean… he does not attend public functions of that nature.”
“Good choice, no reason to draw attention away from the couple. I’ll leave you to examine the ring while I put these other trays back. Take your time.”
The young man looked at the ring, its band was strong and durable, able to withstand years of wear. The multifaceted stone glistened from the artificial lights above; the facets were as complex as the woman who would wear the ring. He wondered, might it shimmer even better in moonlight on her finger?
“Mr. Lazer? This ring will suit Miss Lane just fine.”
After a discreet exchange of information and cash, Mr. Lazer prepared the ring for its new owner. After being lovingly polished, the diamond ring found itself securely tucked into a red velvet box with gold trim.
“Thank you Mr. Lazer for all your help.”
“It was a pleasure Mr. Kent. Take care. Please come back and see us in five years.”
Clark turned and looked at him, a quizzical expression on his face.
Mr. Lazer blue eyes twinkled. “For the future Ms. Lane-Kent’s anniversary ring naturally.”
When the full import of the jeweler’s words hit him, Clark lips spread into a heartbreaking grin and he profusely thanked the older man again. Then he stepped into the crisp air of an early autumn evening. Walking down the street, with the diamond safely tucked in his beast pocket he began to think about where and when to give Lois the ring. Should he walk over to her apartment and give it to her now? Maybe during dinner at her Uncle Mike’s restaurant? Perhaps over coffee and donuts at the Java Perk? Maybe on their next stakeout? Now that he had the ring, how *did* he propose?
