Ellen, my grandmother, gave me this before she passed away. I was too young to understand its meaning at the time, but I kept it anyway. I cherished it for over twenty years as a memento of her love.
Through every change, every breakup, and every phase of my life, she remained by my side.
Now, in my hands, the feeling was different.
Heavier.
Hotter.
As if he knew what I was about to do.
It was too good for the life I was living.
I kept him safe for over twenty years.
"I'm sorry, Grandma," I whispered
. "I just need a little time. Maybe this will give me another month."
I couldn't sleep much that night, crying over what I should have done.
I kept taking the necklace off, putting it back on, telling myself I would find another way.
But morning came anyway.
And the same thing happened with reality.
I went to the pawn shop downtown. It was the kind of place you only go to when you have no other option.
A small bell rang when I opened the door.
"I just need some time."
An elderly gentleman was behind the counter, his glasses perched on his nose.
"Can I help you, ma'am?" he asked.
I hesitated for a second.
So I stepped forward and placed the necklace on the counter as if it could bite me.
"I need to sell this."
The man barely glanced at him. Then, his hands froze.
His eyes were fixed on the necklace.
And the color drained from his face so quickly that I thought he was going to faint!
"I need to sell this."
"Where did you get that?" he asked, whispering.
“It belonged to my grandmother,” I said, a little annoyed by the delay. “Look, I only need enough for the rent.”
What was his name?
I grimaced. "Merinda. Merinda L. Why?"
The man opened his mouth, then closed it again, before staggering backward as if the counter had shaken him!
"Miss... you need to sit down," he murmured, gripping the edge of the counter.
My blood ran cold.
"Where did you get that?"
"Is it fake?" I asked, worried.
He let out a trembling sigh.
"No. It's... it's true."
Before I could answer, he picked up a cordless phone with trembling fingers and pressed the speed dial button.
"I have it," she said quickly when someone answered. "The necklace. It's here."
A chilling sensation ran down my spine.
“Who are you calling?” I asked, taking a step back.
He covered the receiver with his hand, his eyes wide.
"Miss... the teacher has been looking for you for 20 years!"
My heart rate increased dramatically.
"Who are you calling?"
Before I could ask for explanations, a lock snapped shut behind the door to the exhibition hall.
The back door suddenly opened.
And when I saw who came in, I was breathless.
"To wish?!"
Yes, she looked older. Time had softened her facial features and given her hair a touch of gray. But her posture was the same as I remembered: upright, serene, elegantly natural.
She was my grandmother's best friend!
She looked older.
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