With an Achin' in His Heart, and a Determination on His Mind...

Alfred hadn't asked Bessima on a real date in upwards of a year... one had to suspect something...It was with much joy that I harassed Bessima all friday long last friday...doing all kinds of gestures with my left ring finger, such as scratching my face, or just pointing at it. I did this because I suspected Alfred would propose...I had no idea how on the money I was. And so, I felt a little bad for getting Bessima's hopes up....especially when during dinner at Luciano's she kept saying to the Alfred "So when are we gonna go on a good date?"...."No I mean a REALLY GOOD DATE."--And poor Alfred (seriously poor now...he gotta be...ain't you seen that ring?)...poor Alfred shakin his head sayin, "oh Bessima, I just haven't had the time to go shopping for anything...and I still don't have the money...I just wanted to take you out somewhere nice for a change."---What a master of delivery, a cunning actor, a stealthy ninja of romance the Alfred proved to be...for when the two lovers reached the park, the Bessima was thoroughly convinced there would be no such shiny element placed on her finger on such evening...and when she least suspected it...the Alfred with an achin' in his heart and a determination on his mind, laid his life, hopes, and joys at Bessima's feet, and asked her to be his wife. The Bessima, never taken aback but always one to hope for REALLY GOOD DATE surprises tenderly, gracefully, and lovingly accepted.

Congratulations to Mr. Alfred Hensley and the future Mrs. Alfred Hensley on their victorious endeavors. I say a meeting with the Captain is in order.