Chapter 5 — Eleanor Finally Explains the Secret
Thomas turned toward his mother.
Eleanor had just walked toward them.
She wore a silver dress.
But no sapphire ring.
She saw the box in Thomas’s hand.
Then looked toward Maya.
“You brought it.”
Maya nodded.
Thomas stared at his mother.
“You gave Lucas the ring?”
Eleanor sighed.
“Yes.”
“Six weeks ago?”
“Yes.”
“And you let me think it was missing?”
Eleanor stared at him.
“I told you to leave it alone until tonight.”
“That’s not the same as telling me Lucas had it.”
“Because it was supposed to be a surprise.”
Thomas froze.
“For who?”
Eleanor looked toward the ballroom.
Near the stage stood Thomas’s daughter, Lily.
Twenty-three.
Recently graduated from nursing school.
That evening she was scheduled to present Eleanor’s community-service award.
Eleanor pointed toward her.
“For Lily.”
Thomas stared.
The ring was not merely sentimental.
Eleanor’s own grandmother had given it to her when she completed nursing training in 1968.
Decades later, Eleanor wanted to give it to Lily on the night three generations of nurses stood together at the same foundation event.
One sapphire setting had become loose.
The band was also too large for Lily.
Eleanor asked Lucas to take it to Harrington Jewelers.
“Why Lucas?” Thomas asked.
Eleanor looked annoyed.
“Because if I asked you, you would create a spreadsheet.”
Emily tried not to laugh.
Eleanor continued.
Lucas knew a jeweler there.
He agreed to have the ring repaired and discreetly resized.
“He didn’t take it from my jewelry box,” Eleanor said.
“I handed it to him.”
Thomas looked toward Maya.
Then his mother.
“Why didn’t Lucas tell me?”
Eleanor answered:
“Because I told him not to ruin the surprise.”
Thomas laughed bitterly.
“Even after I accused him?”
Eleanor’s face changed.
“He should have told me how serious your accusation had become.”
Maya nodded.
“I told him that.”
Lucas had tried to keep Eleanor’s surprise intact.
At first he found Thomas’s suspicion ridiculous.
Then Thomas grew angrier.
Lucas grew more stubborn.
The argument became less about the ring…
and more about which brother would back down first.
Neither did.