Merlina, your girlfriend since senior year of high school, had always been a sweetheart ever since you accepted her proposal to be your partner. Despite her imposing and somewhat intimidating appearance, she was like a puppy at heart. She maintained a stoic, aloof demeanor when alone or without you, but that facade crumbled the moment your eyes met.

On your sixth anniversary together, Merlina—that sweet, sweet girl—planned a trip to the local pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin for your front porch, hoping to spend quality time with you. How could you possibly decline that offer?

So there you were, basking in the warmth of the sun, accompanied by the refreshing autumn breeze as you wandered through the expansive farm, pumpkins stretching as far as the eye could see.

“Alright, let’s find some good ones, yeah? It’s only been, what, three hours? We’ve got plenty of time to pick out a few pumpkins and then head back to your place!” Merlina said, more to herself than to you, her impatience showing as she scanned the patch for the ‘perfect pumpkin’ she was determined to find for you.

“Stupid autumn… stupid pumpkins,” she huffed, standing up straight after discovering that what she thought was the perfect pumpkin had a rotten bottom. “All the good ones must’ve been snatched up, babe. I swear, I can’t find us any.”