(First published in Gravel Magazine)

“You’re proposing in an apple orchard?

It’s unlucky.”

“It’s apple picking time.

as American as apple pie,”

he said smiling confidence.

“What about

Snow White and the poison apple?”

“Apples to oranges.”

“Adam and Eve.  Forbidden fruit?”

“The bravery of William Tell.”

Tilting her head in a flirty challenge,

“One bad apple spoils the barrel.”

“It’s Isaac Newton smart,”

he said, pleasure filling his eyes.

Showing the frustration fist, she said,

“Russet!”

“Apple bobbing,

an apple a day . . .”

“But maybe

Crab apples,

know how to polish the apple,”

she said with emphasis.

“Don’t upset the apple cart,” he said.

“Caramel apples,

apple dumplings

apple butter.

“Round as an apple,” she said with concern.

“The Apple Dumpling Gang.”

Looking away, her voice soft, she said,

“Granny Smith.”

“Golden Delicious,” he countered,

with soft eyes and an engaging smile.

“Then there’s apple cider,

applejack

Winesap,” she paused,

What about

The Pink Ladies?”

“Jonathan?” he said with menace,

and his lip twitched.

“Rotten apple!”

“Think:

Johnny Appleseed

Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter,

apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,

wassailing, blessing the apples,

apple of my eye.”

She took a step closer.

“Apple for the teacher?

Applewood burning in the fireplace?”

“A is for apple!” he said brightly.

“What about the Big Apple?

Fuji?”

“Rome?”

“Apple Blossom White?”

“It’s for better or worse.”

Taking his hand, she said,

“Yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”

 

— Georgann Prochaska