by Rayns, Lisa
He gasped when he opened the box but he said nothing. He flipped on a bright light and then strapped a strange-looking eyepiece onto his head before he began inspecting each gem in the necklace. He sat studiously for so long that I felt sorry for the kink he would have in his neck when he finished. Finally, he replaced the necklace, shut the case, and smiled widely at me. “It is indeed The Alicia,” he declared. “This necklace was commissioned in 1943 in San Juan, Argentina by a vineyard owner’s son for his fiancée, Alicia Silviana. She was said to be wearing it when she died on her wedding day. There’s no record of it at all after that, and the groom never reported it missing.”
It felt as though he’d just laid a heavy brick on top of my heart. Tears threatened, and I found it hard to swallow. “She…she died on her wedding day? How? Where was the groom?”
“I have no idea.” He appeared dumbfounded by the question. “They kept little in the way of records back then, and if the jewel crafter’s grandsons hadn’t decided to publish his notes, I wouldn’t have any information on the necklace at all. The part about the bride dying was written as a follow-up to its last known whereabouts. I’m sorry. That’s really all the information I have…except for its value.”
He left that hanging in the air as if it would matter to me at that moment. “I’m not sure I want to know.”
“Don’t be silly,” he said with a chuckle. “No one brings jewelry in to have it appraised and doesn’t want to know what it’s worth.”
“I…I really only wanted to know if it was stolen to tell you the truth. My cousin thinks––”
“Ah…may I ask where you got it? Or why you might think it was stolen.”
“Oh, no. No,” I insisted, shaking my head. “I didn’t take it from anyone, I swear. It was a birthday gift.”
“I see.” He leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling for a moment. He closed one eye as if he was calculating or counting in his head before he inquired, “Would you be interested in selling it?”
The question startled me. “I can’t. I have to return it to the man who gave it to me.”
“But he gave it to you,” he contended. “It was a gift, and so it’s yours to do with as you please.”
I shook my head. “No. It’s not…I don’t consider it mine.”
He shrugged and leaned across the desk, excitement flashing in his eyes. “Are you ready to hear what it’s worth?”
With a deep breath, I grabbed the arms of the chair for Mr. Cromwell’s sake. He acted like ten grand would put me over the edge.
Once in position, I nodded. “Okay, tell me.”
“One hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” He drug out the words, ruthlessly rubbing them under my skin.
I returned to the car, feeling blindsided.
“Well, was it reported stolen?” Tina demanded the second my door closed.
I shook my head, and for once, I took no pleasure in the look of horror that followed. Just because no one had reported it stolen, didn’t mean it wasn’t. I kept that thought to myself. Gratefully, she didn’t say another word, even when she dropped me off at my house.
The necklace stared at me from my bed for most of the day. I thought about turning it in to the police, but the idea of Mr. Interested having no reason to ever see me again made me quickly decide against it. He didn’t seem like a criminal, but I had to wonder about his motives. Who gives a stranger an expensive gift like that and then disappears? I didn’t even know his name!
After I dressed for bed that night, I removed it from its case, unable to resist anymore. The fact that the necklace hadn’t been reported stolen was a huge relief. Its worth, however, left me feeling nervous. I didn’t live in that world––a world that could protect something with that much value. If anyone found out that I had it, it could get stolen. So what was the point of having it if I couldn’t wear it?
None, I thought, slipping the necklace around my neck and fastening the latch. The floorboards under my feet shook as if the necklace was protesting or reminding me that it didn’t belong to me.
“Alicia, please let me wear it,” I pleaded. It sparkled brilliantly from the mirror on my dresser, making me feel like a princess even in the tank top and sweat pants I wore to bed.
A sharp knock on the door had me jumping into bed and pulling the covers up to my chin. “What?”
“It’s just me, honey. Can I come in?”
“Sure, Mom.”
She walked into the room and sat down on the edge of my bed. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I heard you took the night off of work and well, honestly that doesn’t sound like you. Not that I don’t approve, don’t get me wrong. You work so hard all the time I barely see you anymore.”
“I’m just really focused on my goals right now. I’ll be graduating in a couple of years, and I want to be ready. I’m not going to be one of those kids that call you asking for money all the time.”
“I know and that’s great. I just hope you’re not missing out on all the fun stuff college life has to offer.”
“Parties and drinking? Please, I get enough of that at our family reunions.”
She smothered a laugh and composed a serious expression. “We just think it’s better for children to learn to drink responsibly while around family where there’s at least parental guidance.”
“I know. How did we get on this conversation?”
“Well, I was just thinking about your party and how nice it was to see you with people your own age. You never take time to hang out with friends.”
I wanted to laugh. Even if I had wanted to hang out with kids my own age, my mind constantly wandered away from the immature clamoring they called chatting. I always felt out of place, preferring to be far away in the pages of a book or even working than at a party where James might ask Stacy out. It seemed so insignificant to me.
“Actually, Mom, Tina and I went downtown today. I skipped school too.”
“Really?” she asked, the surprise stretching out her face. “That’s wonderful! Now, what about boys?”
“I don’t like to date,” I said, feeling uncomfortable with the subject. Boys didn’t typically notice me––the loner bookworm. I’d preferred it that way too, until now.
“Elizabeth, are you ever going to tell me about that young man from the party?”
“There’s nothing to tell,” I said, unsure if it was a lie or not. “I don’t even know his name.”
“That’s too bad. I thought maybe…why are you covered up like that?”
I grinned mischievously. “I’m secretly fully dressed in some swanky clothes under here. I’m planning to sneak out tonight and go to a party after you and dad fall asleep. It’s actually more fun to live on the edge if your parents don’t know about it.”
Vera laughed and rose to leave. “Well, it seems I’ve been mistaken. I’ll just be going to bed then. Have a good time, dear.”
“Thanks, Mom. Goodnight.”
When she left, I pulled the covers down and touched the necklace, delighting at the cool stones beneath my fingers. I fell asleep almost immediately.
A woman leaned over a table in what seemed like an old black and white, silent film. She looked like me but she wore a long flowered dress, and her short hair was set up in an old-fashioned style. She scanned a newspaper dated December 16th, 1943.
When a man in a fancy suit entered the room, she turned and ran into his arms. The man, who looked like Mr. Interested, smiled happily, unable to take his eyes off her. After a long kiss, he produced a brand new jewelry box that read, Alicia Silviana, and when she opened it, she jumped up and down and started crying happily. She hugged him and let him put the necklace on her. They embraced again and the image faded.
The next scene opened up in a small room with large stained glass windows. The same woman slipped on a wedding gown while two other females helped. One was a plain looking brunette, and the other was a beautiful blonde.
; It all seemed very traditional until the woman got her dress on and shooed the other ladies out of the room. The blonde scowled and seemed to argue with her for minutes before she threw up her hands and stomped out.
As soon as they were gone, her groom popped out of the closet door to kiss her. She was butter in his arms, at first, seemingly helpless to her love for him but eventually she held up a finger to scold him. She gestured to her dress and then to her wrist before pointing to the door. He left unwillingly, but continually looked back to see if she’d change her mind. She just shook her head.
She let her bridesmaids back in to fuss over her hair but when the clock on the wall jumped ahead one hour, only one remained. The dark haired helper smiled and handed her the black jewelry box.
Just as the bride latched the necklace around her neck, the church started shaking around her. She lost her footing and fell as the ceiling collapsed on top of her, and then everything went dark.
The last image showed her gravestone. It read: Alicia Silviana; Born June 1, 1921; Died Jan 15, 1944. Eternally Loved.
My pulse raced when I sat up in bed and shut off the alarm. The cold brick that I’d felt at the jeweler’s, once again lay atop my heart and weighed down my chest, making it hard to breathe. With the images still fresh in my mind, I grabbed my laptop and typed the story with every detail I could remember. I became so involved with it that I didn’t realize until I finished that I was late for school. Very late!
Jumping into some clothes, I ran out the door and caught the next bus to the campus. All the students turned and stared at me when I sat down in an empty chair. I thought they were silently teasing me for missing class but the girl beside me cleared things up when she leaned over and whispered, “That’s a beautiful necklace! Where did you get it?”
Sucking in my breath, I reached up to find the necklace still on my neck. I winced and then slumped in my seat. With my secret out, I felt distraught. I left the necklace on all day, not because I wanted the attention, but once everyone had seen it, I didn’t feel safe putting it in my purse. What else could I do? I couldn’t bear to have it stolen, and if I wore it, at least I’d be able to keep an eye on it.
I got the most attention that evening at the diner. Male customers smiled, flirted, and asked me to marry them in a joking manner. It made me so uncomfortable that I stopped looking at them and instead stared down at the table while they gave me their orders. I knew that kind of behavior was bad for tips, but at least it would get me through the long night.
After the rush, I folded silverware into napkins when Brenda leaned her anorexic body against the counter. “Elizabeth, you’re up. Table sixteen, but I can take it if you want.”
“No, I got it,” I said, walking over to the table with my notepad out. “Hi there. Our dinner specials tonight are…”
“I’m so glad you finally wore it.”
The memorable voice pulled my gaze up to meet his chocolaty eyes. Though speechless, I managed a smile––a big one. I turned away from him and walked to the counter, pulling off my apron. “Brenda, I’m taking the rest of the night off. You can keep my tips if you cover for me.”
“Good call.” Brenda took the rag but stopped me by pulling on the sleeve of my uniform. “What’s the dude’s name?”
I took a deep breath and pushed it out. “That’s a simple enough question, isn’t it?”
Digging two folded papers out of my pocket, I laid them on the table before I sat down across from him in the booth. He sported another casual dress shirt, bright red this time. He still looked delicious, of course.
After unfolding the papers, he scanned them quickly, and then smiled at me, shaking his head.
“What do you mean, no?”
“It’s not here.”
I scowled, wondering what names I’d missed. “So what is your name? And seriously don’t give me any of that smooth change of subject crap. I’m not moving or saying anything else until you tell me.”
His return smile was charming, the best I’d ever seen. Sexy too, if I dared the thought. My face heated only slightly but I held my ground, not speaking.
“The funny part is that I could look at you forever and not have to say a word. I will win this silent argument.”
Damn! His words along with the confidence on his face drove me half-crazy so I let that one question go. I had plenty more.
His smile glowed like a candle in the darkness. “So, Mr. Interested, is wearing the necklace all I had to do to get you to show up?”
“Perhaps,” he said, letting his smile turn into a deeply amused grin. “Did you want me to show up?”
HELL YES, I DID! “Well, I wanted to return your necklace, of course. Do you know what this thing is worth?”
“Yes, I do, actually.” He seemed oddly unconcerned. “Is that the only reason you wanted me to show up then?”
“No. I also wanted to know your name. Anyway, you have to take this back,” I said, fumbling for the clasp that hooked the chain together.
“Don’t!” he demanded sternly, yet soft and pleading at the same time. “Just let me look at you with it on for a little longer.”
Feeling as red as an apple, I let my hands drop and shook my head. “I can’t take care of it. I could lose it or break it or it could get stolen. It’s not safe with me at all.”
“On the contrary, it belongs with you.”
“No, it belongs with Alicia Silviana.”
“It belongs with you now,” he said decisively.
“Fine,” I fumed, annoyed that he wouldn’t listen to reason. “I’ll leave it on until you get ready to leave, and then I must return it. Agreed?”
He cocked his head, appearing troubled. “You don’t like it?”
“Yes, I love it. It’s gorgeous, who wouldn’t? But…” I stopped abruptly, my annoyance evaporating when he frowned.
“I didn’t really come here to talk about the necklace, Elizabeth.”
I sat back in the booth, my rebuttal forgotten the instant my name left his lips. “You didn’t?”
“No, I’m still…” He smiled again, looking down at the table before he raised his eyes to mine, holding them. “Interested.”
My body tingled pleasantly, and for a moment, all I could do was stare back. When I found my voice, I threw out the two words quickly as if the opportunity might pass or expire. “Me too.”
He leaned forward attentively and crossed his arms in front of him, resting them on the table. “Have you thought any more about what you really want from your life?”
The question threw me off balance, and all my questions returned to me in a burst. “Tell me who you are? What’s your name? Where do you live? Did you steal this necklace? And why would you give it to me?”
A charming smile crossed his handsome face. “I am as anxious as you are, Elizabeth, but we must both learn to take things slowly.”
Despite his vagueness and lack of answers, I found myself appeased. More than appeased, I was delighted at his use of the word “we” as if we were a couple.
“I must go.”
A loud crash in the kitchen made me turn away from him for only a moment but when I turned back the bell on the door rang, and he had vanished. The contrast hit me hard, like I’d just stared at the Mona Lisa and then turned to a plain wall. “Damn it!” I huffed under my breath.
Normally, Brenda gave me a ride home after a late shift but I was too upset to wait for her to get off. I decided to walk, hoping the fresh air would clear away the confusion and discontent swirling in my head. By Tina’s estimation, Mr. Interested should have asked for the necklace and taken off, never to be seen again. Instead, he’d given me another someday promise. What was that? Why couldn’t he just ask me out on a date, say for Saturday? “Not someday,” I muttered aloud on the empty street as I treaded through the sprinkles.
Picking up my pace, I pulled my raincoat around me, not minding the warm raindrops. I was too deep in thought to bother with them.
“What I really
want from my life,” I grumbled, continuing my inner quarrel. Who really knew what they wanted from life? My plan was a dream that stemmed from what I liked to do. What did he want me to say? What should I want? My frustration spiked when I realized I had let a man I barely knew make me doubt my own future.
Slowing, I found myself blocks away from home, and the only thing between my house and me was the long underpass that tunneled below six lanes of traffic. Months ago, the pass closed to all cars, and the inner lighting was out, leaving it completely dark. I’d forgotten about it when I started walking but now the shadows loomed angrily from underneath causing me to stop at the sight of it. I considered going around, but that route took me twelve whole blocks out of the way.
The sprinkles stopped, diminishing into a mist that prickled my senses and made the hair on my arms stand on end. I knew I was being ridiculous. It was a good neighborhood and nothing hid in those shadows but scared mice. I took a step forward but stopped when I heard laughter.
“It’s all right, girly, you can come and party with us.”
I backed away but when my arms instinctively dropped to my waist to get ready to run, my coat fell open, and I realized my mistake. Pulling it closed, I quickly tried to cover the necklace. “Um…no thanks. I have to get home.”
“Ha ha, she has a curfew,” another voice joked.
“Shut up!” a dark-haired teenage boy called behind him as he stepped into view. He wore jeans and a black tank top that exposed a very muscular torso. “It’s all right, baby. Don’t mind them. I’ll walk you through here safely, just take my hand.”
He reached out his hand to me, but I backed further away. “I’m sorry,” I called. “I’ll take the other way.”
“Very funny, lady. You don’t wear rocks like that in my neighborhood and not get noticed.” He laughed, a harsh, threatening sound that sent shivers snaking down my spine. One by one, a group of six young, muscular boys started to advance. “I mean, how obvious can you be? I just saw this big, fat paycheck walking right toward me! Hand it over, baby, and we’ll let you go wherever you want.”