Green Ribbon, Green Ribbon

She came back to me, just like she didn't promise. We were married at age twenty-one. It took place during the spring, even though it didn't brighten our black and white world. Only that damned green ribbon could do that.

"Can you tell me now?"

"No, you'll see one day. Just be patient. You may wish that you hadn't asked."

But despite Lulu's pleas for me to wait, I all too many times tried to snatch it from her neck. Whenever I did so, she would swat my hand away harder than I thought she could. Lulu's eyes would turn from sad to angry and then to disappointed. I always felt bad afterwards and promised her not to do it again. We would kiss and make up, then everything would be okay. But I never could help but wonder about her. . .