[ WP ] Write a story beginning with : `` Are you buying that or what ? ''

edit: whoops, just saw the word constraint, my bad. 
 
 -- -- 
 
 `` Are you buying that or what?'' The man said. 
 
 `` Excuse me?'' 
 
 `` Did I stutter? Are you buyin' or jus' lookin?'' 
 
 `` Yes, I'm buying.'' I said fervently. `` This is n't exactly something you rush though.'' 
 
 `` Seems to me, if you do n't know what she wants already, maybe it's not time.'' 
 
 `` And how would you know?'' 
 
 `` Been married five times. Save for once, never took me more that three minutes to choose a ring.'' 
 
 I smiled, `` Forgive me if I do n't take marriage advice from a five time divorcee.'' 
 
 `` It aint marriage advice, bucko. It's *engagement* advice. Look at me. Do I look like the marriage material?'' 
 
 He had a point. His belly protruded well past his belt and hung below a poorly fitted sweater that looked like it had been rat food at one point. His forehead was waging a winning battle against his hairline and yet genetics had n't the decency to grace him with facial hair, beyond a skeevy mustache. 
 
 When I said nothing, he continued. 
 
 `` I know my short comings.'' he offered. `` But I know how to woo a woman. Three of my wives said they'd never marry me, and yet they did. That's a fact I wear like a badge of honor.'' He moved around the counter. `` Come here.'' 
 
 When I did n't move at first, he snapped, `` Come here you putz, I got somethin' to show ya.'' 
 
 I followed him around the counter. He knelt down, unlocked a cabinet and retrieved a small box. 
 
 `` Do ya love her?'' He asked. 
 
 `` Of course.'' 
 
 He sighed and shook his head. `` I did n't ask you if you like doughnuts after church. I asked: Do you love her?'' 
 
 `` With all my heart.'' 
 
 `` Good enough.'' He opened the box, revealing a ring inside. 
 
 It was magnificent. A band made for small, delicate fingers. It's diamond was simple, yet the crisscrossing gold across it's face was something far more elegant. It was perfect, I knew she'd love it. 
 
 `` Wow..'' I said. `` It's perfect.'' 
 
 `` Of course it is.'' 
 
 `` Why do n't you have it out with the rest?'' 
 
 `` Because I do n't want some schmuck buyin' it. This one's special. Do you want it?'' 
 
 `` Of course, I do. But I'm not sure I can afford --'' He raised his hand to stop me. 
 
 `` What do you have on you?'' 
 
 `` On me? What --'' 
 
 `` Jesus Christ, Kid. You got a hearing problem? What's in your wallet?'' 
 
 I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. Rifling through it, I came up with just over $ 260; money I was going to use to pay my utility bill. The clerk grabbed the money, counted it and nodded. 
 
 `` There you go.'' He placed the box in my hand. `` Lem me get you a receipt.'' 
 
 For a moment, I was too shocked to say anything. I found my voice by the time he returned with the receipt. `` I ca n't take this for $ 260. It's worth *much* more than that, surely. I do n't --'' 
 
 `` I know what you're thinking; it aint stolen, Kid.'' 
 
 `` That's not --'' 
 
 `` It is. And I'm glad your thinking that, means you aint stupid. The ring is from one of my many failed marriages, so it's mine to give.'' 
 
 I wanted to ask why *she* had n't kept the ring, but the look in his eye changed from the usual scornful disdain, something softened in his features. He could n't look me in the eye, instead he gazed at the box in my hand, mesmerized by memory. I did n't ask any further. 
 
 `` Thank you,'' I said. `` Thank you, sir. I know she's going to love it.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, yeah.'' He said, the indifferent tone was back in his voice. `` Now get outta here, I got other customers to help.'' 
 
 The store was empty, but I took my leave. Our anniversary was next week, the timing would be perfect. 

