Chapter 17 - Mom’s Jewelry
Mom asked me to help catalog her jewelry.
The same jewelry insured at inflated values.
Some had been purchased with legitimate money.
Some through Arthur’s shell reimbursements.
Some through Dad’s improper distributions.
She wanted everything traced.
That mattered.
We sat at her kitchen table.
Diamond bracelet.
Legitimate anniversary gift.
Emerald necklace.
Paid through Vance Crest “client development.”
Return.
Pearl earrings.
Grandmother’s.
Keep.
Gold watch.
Dad bought using a Redwood consulting payment.
Return.
Mom watched me work.
“You always were good at this.”
I looked at her.
“You used to say I was obsessive.”
She flinched.
“I know.”
“Why?”
“Because your father hated when you asked questions.”
“And you wanted peace.”
“Yes.”
“Was it peaceful?”
“No.”
We continued.
Then she pulled out one velvet box.
Inside was a sapphire ring.
I recognized it.
Grandmother Elena’s.
Mom said:
“She wanted you to have this.”
“Why didn’t I?”
“Thomas said it should go to Sienna because blue suited her better.”
I stared.
“Seriously?”
Mom laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
“That may be the stupidest theft in this entire family.”
“I know.”
She handed it to me.
I did not take it.
“Give it to Sienna.”
Mom blinked.
“Why?”
“Because Grandmother wanted me to have ownership.”
“Not obligation.”
“I don’t need the ring.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Later Sienna called furious.
“Why did you give me Grandma’s ring?”
“Because you like blue.”
She started laughing.
Then crying.
Then laughing again.
Maybe that was healing.
Messy.
May you like
Unphotogenic.
Real.
