As he listens, his interest in the dessert and the lively drone of the restaurant dissipates. The world gets a little smaller, down to the carpeted section of the dining room, then down to the miniscule realm of the table. It's then that the weight on her shoulders becomes clear. The only thing he can think to do is take her hand and give it a squeeze.

He doesn't think she ever mentioned anything about being engaged or much about this Joshua, and it's not all that surprising. They've jawed over simple things-- the city, drinks, casino-goers and difference in the times or things back home. Simple, superficial things. He's not entirely sure there's a right thing to say, but he's never had a shortage of opinions nor voicing them.

"Can't say I knew the guy, but if he's the kind who propose to you on your birthday, he'd probably think you deserved something better than this."