“What do you mean, ‘no’?” That one word had sent a dagger through his heart.

“I mean ‘no’. As in, ‘It’s not going to happen’!”

“But, Merilee, why?”

“Why? Why? WHY ?! Why do you think?!” she shouted.

“All right, all right. No need to get hysterical!”

“Right, no need. I’m sure.” she said, sarcasm dripping from every word. “You want a reason?”

“Yes, I think I deserve that, considering what I paid for this engagement ring!”

“How about ‘I refuse to marry a stalker’? How about ‘do the words restraining order have meaning to you’?”

“What?” has asked, confused. “You mean that’s real? You were serious about that?”

Merilee looked as if she’d been struck with a bat. “Was… Are you kidding me?!” She let out a scream that was pure frustration. “How can you be so thick?! If I’d known about them, I would have gotten one in sixth grade!”

His eyes lit up, as though something had just occurred to him. “Oh, I see! You need time to think about it!”

She stared at him. Denial is an amazing thing, she thought.