“Keep writing your poetry, darling. Keep that side of you alive.”
My heart ached thinking about her. But do you know what?
The next day, while shopping, I found out that the truth was even worse. Now
I smiled at Mel in the grocery store, pretending to listen to her rave about Greek yogurt and chia seeds for breakfast. “It really is the best breakfast, Rachel.
It cleans out the gut and gives you more protein than eggs. Add some honey or chocolate chips, girl. Trust me,” she spoke fast, as if trying not to think or say anything that would give her away.
I smiled like I wasn’t seconds away from ripping those earrings off her ears. She had no idea. She had absolutely no clue she had been part of my husband’s betrayal.
Or did she? From the way she acted, I didn’t think she knew the value of it. In her eyes, she was standing in front of her boyfriend’s wife and using the expensive gift he had bought her.
So, I made a decision. I was going to take back what was mine. And I was going to make Derek pay.
Big time. The next morning, I played the part of the forgiving wife. I was quiet, reciting Shakespearean sonnets in my head.
I made pancakes for the kids. I made French toast for Derek. But I couldn’t get my encounter with Mel out of my head.
He was relieved, smug even. I’m sure he thought that I had slept on it and had finally let it go. “It’s good to see you so chipper, Rach,” he said.
“You know I love that smile.”
I wanted to slap him. Focus on Shakespeare, Rach, I thought to myself. “Derek, can I see the pawnshop receipt?” I asked, pretending that I just wanted to make sure everything could be bought back.
He rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically but eventually handed it over. “Nora,” I called, watching her pick at her pancakes. “Do you want to come with Mommy today?
We’re going to look for Grandma’s jewelry.”
“Yes!” she said excitedly. I wasn’t sure about taking my child to a pawnshop, but if I’m being honest, that little girl was the only thing that would keep me calm. We got ourselves dressed and found ourselves standing outside the pawnshop.
“We’re buying the jewelry, Mom?” Nora asked. “Indeed we are, baby girl,” I said. And just like that, I went in and tracked down my mother’s jewelry.
It wasn’t difficult, but I had to convince the owner that it was mine. “It would make a good anniversary present for my wife,” he said. “But you look like you’re going to cry your little heart out.”
“It’s my mom’s, sir,” I said.
“Please.”
I think he was more floored by being called sir that he just gave it over, not even trying to exploit me with the price. I kept the receipt. For later.
There was only one piece left. The earrings. The ones that Derek’s mistress had been flaunting.
I knocked on her door, and when she opened it, I held up my mother’s will, specifically reading out that the jewelry was mine. I also had a picture of her wearing the set at her wedding. Then, I showed her the necklace and bracelet I had reclaimed.
“These are part of a set,” I said. “They’re family heirlooms, and I need the earrings back. They were not Derek’s to give.”
Her face paled, and her jaw dropped.
“Rachel…
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