The Sapphire Pendant

by Dara Girard

  “Do you want children?”

  He hesitated. She saw a longing that he quickly hid. He wanted to be a Dad, but feared his past prevented it. “You don’t think that’s fair?” he asked.

  “I do think you should have kids, but what if they end up looking like me?” She stopped, recognizing how absurd the statement sounded.

  His jaw twitched. “If you don’t want to marry me just say so, but don’t start thinking up ridiculous excuses.”

  She flashed a sly grin. “Well, you have to think about it. Would you really want a little me running around the house?”

  He didn’t smile. “Yeah.”

  “Hmm.” She bit her lip. Why did she feel this doubt? With him she felt beautiful and powerful and courageous. She glanced down at the ring on her finger. She had the chance to make the meaning of this symbol real. But could she be his wife, the mother of his children? What if she failed to be what he needed? She looked up at him and noticed he was too still. She kicked him. “Breathe.”

  “I’m waiting for an answer,” he said in a tight voice.

  Jessie chewed her bottom lip. “Oh.”

  “Does that mean yes?”

  She saw a woodpecker whiz past their window. She smiled. “Do bras fly?”

  He nodded slowly then stood. “Okay, I’ll see you when I get home.” He walked to the door then halted. He spun around and Jessie nearly laughed at the expression on his face. “Did you just say yes?”

  She nodded.

  He came to her and rested his hands on the table. “Say it.”

  “Say what?”

  “Yes.”

  She grinned.

  He waited.

  “Yes, I will marry you. Yes, I will have children with you.” She stood and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

  Thank you. Kenneth held her close. He didn’t realize he hadn’t said the words aloud. He closed his eyes and held her close. Praying. Pleading. Hoping he could keep this happiness, that nothing would take this joy away from him, he was close to living the path reserved for other men. He brushed his lips against her forehead. How he loved her and she was going to belong to him. Be his to claim. He was redeemed. She would not blame him for his secrets, did not despise him his cowardice. She would carry his name and share his life when he’d thought he’d always be alone.

  Jessie bit her lip to keep from giggling. She wanted to laugh, cry, scream, dance. Joy was finally breaking through, brushing away all doubts, all fears. It mingled with the love she felt for the man in her arms. She was strong, she was brave, she was beautiful, she was his and he was hers.

  He drew away and looked at her. “Are you crying?”

  Her chin trembled. “I’m trying not to laugh.”

  “You think this is funny?”

  “I think it’s hilarious. I mean you and me, married?”

  He grinned. “I know how you feel.”

  Freda walked into the room as they stared at each other like kids up to mischief. “What are you two up to?”

  “Jasmine’s going to marry me.”

  “The whole county knows you’re engaged. Are you just finding that out?”

  Kenneth and Jessie looked at each other and laughed.

  * * *

  Leticia ignored the filet in front of her, her fingers stroking a wineglass. It always amazed her how even candlelight could not soften the blow of disappointment. Kenneth had barely spoken, that wasn’t unusual, but the sadness was gone. There was a happiness in him that kept her mesmerized, as if a filter had been removed and she now saw a clear image of him, and at that moment she realized why she didn’t want to lose him.

  “Is this goodbye?” she asked casually.

  He glanced up surprised then chagrined, but his joy quickly replaced the expression. “I’m going to be married.”

  She tightened her hold on the glass. “Congratulations.”

  “I had to see you and say goodbye and thank you.”

  She frowned. “Thank me?”

  “This.” He gestured to the room then his gaze fell on her. “And you allowed me to dream when I thought I had nothing.”

  She felt her throat constrict and shrugged his compliment aside. “You paid for it.”

  He covered her hand. “I know what we had meant nothing to you, and would be considered immoral and crude to the world, but you were one of the few things that kept me from feeling numb.” He dug in his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope. He pushed it across the table. “I want you to take this. Put it towards your retirement. May you find your way to Rome.”

  Leticia had never been speechless—she had a hustler’s affinity with words—but for once her mind was blank, filled with something much more: compassion. She knew all her love could not have healed his wounds the way this nameless woman had. He deserved his joy.

  He stood and kissed her cheeks. One kiss causing heartache, one giving hope. Then he walked out of her life as simply as he had walked in all those years ago. She ran her hand over the red tablecloth, her mind setting itself. She would not be selfish this time. She wouldn’t threaten to tell anyone. She would let him go.

  She called Jack. “I want you to forget all that you uncovered on Kenneth Preston.”

  He laughed an ugly, dirty sound. “Sorry, babe, but what I found out about him is too good to forget.”

  “I’ve got money, if that’s what you want.”

  “Wait a minute, what’s going on? You getting soft on me in your old age? Blackmailing clients has always been our claim to fame, baby. It’s the way we do things. You know that.”

  “He’s different.”

  “Yes, bigger game.”

  “I’m warning you, Jack.”

  His tone hardened. “I suggest you don’t, Leticia. You might get hurt.” He hung up.

  Leticia gripped the phone, feeling bile rise up her throat. She ran to the toilet, losing her meal. Her life had caught up with her. She had finally found one man who had truly cared for her and she had created a plan that was about to destroy him.

  * * *

  Kenneth stretched out on the bed and smiled at Jasmine as she stared at the chess board. He had never realized how dark and masculine his bedroom furniture was until Jasmine came into it. Draped in her platinum nightdress, she added a softness the room had never seen, and the sweet smell of her lotion clung to the sheets and drifted towards him while a standing lamp they’d bought kept the evening darkness at bay. “Why don’t you just move a piece so I can beat you?” he said.

  “Be quiet.”

  He yawned.

  She frowned at him. “I’m not taking that long.”

  He glanced at his watch. “I suppose a half hour is adequate time.”

  “It has not been that long.” She studied the board then made a move.

  He quickly beat her—again.

  “You play with your emotions,” he said.

  He went on to describe how she could win, she vaguely heard him. Chess had never been her game, but she played because he enjoyed it so much. She was happy, yet something was missing. Somehow the Sapphire Pendant still called to her, especially in quiet moments like this. Not with warning shouts or bells, but as a whisper—a calm plea. She could not deny the fact that she still wanted it, not with the desperation that had driven her in the past, but with a deep desire that was unexplainable. She pushed the thought aside and set the pieces back in place. He took her arm and slid something on her wrist. She looked down and saw a bracelet of glass beads. “Kenneth, you must stop giving me gifts.” He’d made it almost a habit to surprise her: a basket of chocolate chips, earrings, perfume. Something about it worried her, as if he were constantly trying to please her.

  “I like to give you gifts.”

  “And I like getting them but—”

  He pressed a finger against her lips. “Do me a favor?”

  “What?”

  He held her hand. “Do a reading for me.”

  “It’s late.”

  “It’s
not that late and you have the stones here. Please.”

  She hesitated.

  “Are you afraid of what you might read?”

  Jessie chewed her bottom lip. It was silly to be this apprehensive. What harm could there be in a simple reading? She nodded. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

  A few moments later they sat facing each other with a black velvet cloth on the table and the nine stones Kenneth had selected. Jessie stared at them. She didn’t like what she saw. She knew stones were only a vehicle for her intuition, but the sight of the nine stones—from the rich red of a jasper stone to the tiger’s eye—filled her with dread. She didn’t like the shapes he had chosen or the way he had positioned them.

  “What do you see?” he asked in a whisper.

  She saw devastating betrayal, hurt, anger and aloneness, which could either mean freedom or isolation, she didn’t know. She regretted playing this game.

  “Well?”

  She began to bite her nails then stopped herself. He looked so eager and happy, how could she douse that joy when he had struggled to gain it for so long? “I see many changes in your life,” she said vaguely. “You’re going to have to make a lot of decisions. It will be difficult, at first, but you’ll succeed at the end.”

  He nodded satisfied. “Good that means the August meeting should go well. Do you see anything else? Anything specific?”

  She swallowed. “Someone close will betray you.”

  A tense silence filled the room. Kenneth broke it by letting out a deep breath. “Well, that’s good to know. Don’t look like that, Jasmine. I know how to look out for myself.” He pushed his chair from the table then patted his lap. “Come here.”

  She sat on his lap.

  “Now let me read your future. I read palms by the way, bet you didn’t know that.” He held her hand and trailed one of the lines on her palm. “Interesting. I see that you’re going to marry a very intelligent, handsome man.”

  She gasped alarmed. “Oh no! I’m not marrying you?”

  He ignored her.

  “And you’re going to make beautiful jewelry that sells around the world and make your husband very proud.” He held her in a warm embrace, but inside she felt cold. “There’s nothing to worry about. Together we can face anything.”

  That was the problem. She didn’t see herself in his future. Had she misread the stones? Had she somehow confused her own insecurities with the reading? She could never imagine leaving his side, but something told her she would. She saw him alone. Why? Why?

  Kenneth didn’t give her much time to wonder. He effectively diverted her attention when he kissed her neck then everywhere else. Hours later they lay in each others arm. Kenneth absently stroked her thigh as he stared up at the ceiling.

  “I’m hosting my annual summer barbecue next week. You’ll be co-host.”

  “Why?”

  He squeezed her hand. “We’re engaged remember?”

  She rubbed her face against his palm. “Always, but I don’t like crowds.”

  “You’ll like this crowd. Besides it will look good to have you there.”

  “And appearance means everything, right?”

  “The Preston credo. You’ll do fine.”

  She chewed her lip. “I hope so. How big will this barbecue be?”

  “Don’t worry. It won’t be big at all.”

  * * *

  He was wrong. Cars poured down the long drive, spilling onto the street, as the sun blew its hot breath, soaking the air in a humid heat. It didn’t stop the crowd from enjoying itself, however. The kitchen swelled with the aroma of cool, sweet lemonade and sorrel, fruit salad and various casseroles. The backyard entertained a volleyball game, the living room held a mix of characters in a debate on the economic position of various countries and the family room became gossip central. Jessie found solace behind a tree.

  She had remained cordial long enough, maintaining a smile even when a clumsy man bumped into her

  “What are you doing behind here?” Michelle asked, peeking around the tree.

  Jessie glared at her. “Hiding.”

  “The day is too hot to worry. Why don’t you relax and try to enjoy yourself?”

  “It’s against my nature.”

  “At least you’re not the only one who looks ridiculous,” she said, catching a glimpse of Rodney who’d been following Brooke’s every move all day.

  Jessie shrugged. “Ah leave him alone, he’s young.”

  “And he doesn’t have a chance.” Michelle glanced towards the house. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married.”

  “Me neither.”

  “I can,” Wendy said, joining them. “He loves you so much. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  “When you’re not hiding behind trees, of course,” Michelle added.

  Jessie scowled. “I can’t believe he invited Deborah and Tracy.”

  “They’re nothing,” Wendy assured her. “Deborah’s so angry she could scream.”

  Jessie tugged on her collar. “It’s probably because her skin is frying in this heat.”

  Wendy grabbed her arm. “Come on, your husband is looking for you.”

  “He’s not my husband yet.”

  “No harm in practicing.”

  They found Kenneth talking to Nathan. Stephanie stood close by.

  Wendy said, “I found her behind a tree.” She suddenly began to speak French and Kenneth responded in kind. She then said something that brought color to his cheeks.

  “I took French and didn’t understand a word of that,” Stephanie said.

  Wendy grinned. “That’s because it’s French with an island twist.” She winked at Kenneth, smiled at Jessie then left.

  Jessie looked at him. “What did she say?”

  He cleared his throat. “Never mind.”

  “How can you wear that shirt?” Stephanie asked. “It’s hot enough to melt iron.”

  Nathan said, “Personally, I hope it gets hot enough even the women take their tops off.”

  Jessie frowned. “Nice of you to keep this on a wholesome level.”

  Syrah ran up to her. “I have to talk to you.”

  She excused herself and went up to Syrah’s bedroom. Once there she asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “Uncle’s going to send me back,” Syrah said in panic.

  “No—”

  “He is! I heard grandma talking about me.” Her eyes grew wide and she wrung her hands. “How he wants me out of the way once you’re married.”

  Jessie knelt in front of her. “He said no such thing.”

  “Is he going to let me stay? Can Dad come and get me? I’m not going back. I’m not!”

  She held her shoulder, calming her. She met Syrah’s eyes, her voice steady. “We know, Syrah.”

  Syrah stared stunned, a series of emotions distorting her face then she fell into tears.

  She drew her close. “It’s all right. It’s not your fault. You’re safe now.”

  Syrah hugged her tight wanting to stop her tears but unable to. “He hates me. I don’t want to go back.”

  She wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “You won’t have to. We’ll take care of you.”

  Kenneth knocked on the door and entered. “Is everything all right?”

  Jessie stood. “Syrah’s scared you were sending her back. She’s worried her father will come and get her. I think we should call child protection services.”

  “Absolutely not,” he said. “This is a family issue.”

  “When a man hits a child, the matter goes way beyond family.”

  “I can’t afford the publicity.”

  Jessie rested a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot all about the importance of appearances.”

  Kenneth’s eyes darkened. “The Preston name has never had a scandal and it won’t start with me.”

  She threw her hand up exasperated. “So what are you going to do if he won’t let you adopt her? Send her back so everything looks good?”<
br />
  “I will handle Eddie in the best possible manner.”

  Jessie’s temper snapped. She glared at him. “He’s an abusive drunk that should be publicly flogged!”

  Kenneth’s voice grew softer. “He is my brother. A Preston. That name cannot be tarnished.”

  “At what price?”

  “You know the importance of a name.”

  “Not to this extent.”

  “It’s all I have,” he said in a harsh, raw voice. “The only thing of value anyone has ever given me. Mr. Preston gave us his name to honor and protect and I won’t do anything to jeopardize that. He’s my father and I won’t disgrace him. You of all people should understand.”

  She did understand. She understood that this wasn’t about Syrah or Eddie, it was about them—her. It was about whether she was ready to live under the burden of the Preston name. If she married him, she would pledge to become part of his secrets, his deceptions and be forced to wear the same mask he did.

  She would have to sit and watch him spoil his mother, a woman who made no effort to hide her abhorrence for him. She would have to witness him protect a brother that used him and deal with the other relations in his life without saying a word. As much as she loved him, she knew she could not do that. She would only fail him and ultimately shame him. Jessie pulled his ring from her finger. “I can’t protect your lies, Kenneth. I can’t live for the sake of approval and constantly wear a mask under the burden of a name.” She held the ring out. “I can’t marry you.”

  Kenneth glanced at his niece. “Ace would you excuse us?”

  She nodded then raced out of the room. Kenneth closed the door after her. He kept his voice soft. “I know you’re angry, but don’t punish me this way.”

  Jessie’s temper slipped into sorrow. “I’m not punishing you. I realize we’re too different.”

  Pain filled his eyes, but his voice remained firm. “Jasmine, don’t—”

  “I’m freeing you. I’d make you a terrible wife. I’m too honest. It’s a Clifton curse and my conscience would get the best of me until I began to despise you for making me become something I’m not.”

  “I’m not trying to change you.”