Gold & Glass

A mote of dust floats through the streak of light, catching Mikhail’s attention and dragging it away from the window. He lazily follows it with his eyes until they land on the very first gift he ever received from a suitor.

The sunlight hits the rim of the glass and scatters against the wood grain of his desk, a myriad of colors to appreciate. Mikhail enjoys the bright, joyful stained glass effect of the hand-blown goblet and smiles at the sight.

Ah. That reminds him. 

Golden rings, earrings, cufflinks, and more jewelry almost spill out of the decorative goblet, trinkets and fancy tokens of affections from untold numbers of suitors over the years, so many that he could never wear them all. Shiny baubles received and soon discarded, never worn, on his desk with the same careless ease that he prunes dead roses. 

The past twelve suitors- artists who thought they were so clever, trying to win his affections to get out of their contracts- every last one gave him some kind of jewelry. As much as Mikhail loves wearing jewelry, he would like a little originality in the gifts he receives... 

No, it’s the glass that he appreciated the most. A gift from his very first contract, the wide brim of the cup is perfect for storing small things. A wonderful jewelry box, no? Carnival style, antique and all the more precious for it, Mikhail would prefer more gifts like this some day. 

Maybe his next contract will surprise him. Until then, he tosses another ring on the pile and heads out to tend to his garden with one last fond glance at the rainbow reflected on his desk.