2002-01-20 @ 10:49 p.m.

tonight. as i sit here. my ring sits in the left hip pocket of the jeans i have on.

the silver band i was given. the one that has the words etched into it. those words. 'all that i love'. it says. in french.

my engagement ring.

and although all day today. on the drive to albany and back. my thumb reached across my palm to my left ring finger. to feel it. to play with it. because its become a habit in these past four years. since it was given to me. and for the first time. today. it wasnt there.

and tomorrow. i know i will pick it up again. as i get ready to leave the house. a force of habit. but. perhaps tomorrow. i will leave it where it sits. each night when i slip it off. atop my nightstand.

and i dont know. for sure. if i will ever again. find myself sitting in my car. at an assignment i arrived at ten minutes too early. listening to patty griffin. fiddling with it. on my left ring finger.