Inside was the necklace.
Evelyn held up a case with both hands. “Your grandmother kept the measurements. I had my shop notebook. I gathered every pearl I could find and worked on it all evening.”
My eyes filled before she even opened it.
Inside was the necklace.
Not magically perfect. One clasp was new, and one line sat slightly tighter than the others. But it was mine. It was ours. It was real.
I made this broken sound and covered my mouth.
I threw my arms around her.
Evelyn said, softly, “Did you still come tonight?”
I nodded.
“Then you kept your promise.”
She fastened the necklace around my neck in that school hallway.
I felt the cool weight settle against my skin, and for one second I could breathe again. Not fully. Not like nothing hurt. But enough.
I threw my arms around her.
