Chapter 31

A little surprised finding this out about her daughter, Cheryl inquires, "You read "Jane Eyre", Corrine?" Corrine defensively responds, "Yes. What's so shocking about that? Oh…you probably didn't think that I read classic literature; is that it?" Cheryl takes a sip of hot chocolate; then smiles at Corrine and jests, "Actually…I didn't even think that you read." At first, Corrine's apparently angered by Cheryl's playfully mocking remark; but when she sees her mom warmly smiling at her…for the first time since her return looking softhearted and even somewhat proud of her…Corrine instantly calms, and smiles back at her. Both mother and daughter simultaneously take a sip of their hot chocolate; looking tenderly at each other in the eyes over the cups' brims. Nadine sees this and contently smiles; then turns back to Adele. "I hope you like it." Adele rests the book on her lap, leans over and hugs Nadine. "I love it. Thank you so much." They release their embrace; then Adele hesitantly reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small, humbly plain wrapped package. She looks down upon it for a moment, sighs, and then slowly hands it to Nadine. Now feeling ashamed of her gift's paltry wrapping presentation, Adele apologetically tells her, "Sorry, Nadine…it's not wrapped as nice as yours. I wrapped it myself…the best I could." Nadine gently places her hand on Adele's shoulder and affectionately looks her in the eyes. "You did a wonderful job wrapping it, Adele…it's perfect." Adele smiles as she lowers her head. "Thanks." Nadine opens the top of the package, reaches in and pulls out a masterfully forged silver locket attached to an equally impressive necklace. At once, all of the Martin's move in and gaze in wonderment over the stunning piece. Nadine herself seems almost hypnotized from it; with her mouth slightly agape and eyes intensely focused upon the locket. No one has uttered a word yet; and Adele starts to worry. "Do you like it?" Nadine, still overwhelmed from receiving such an elaborate gift, forces a response. "Adele…it's…it's…amazing." Corrine visually assesses the piece and remarks, "It looks like an antique." Estelle affirms, "It is. That there was given to my grandmother's great-great-grandmother, Ellie May Duprewitt, from the plantation owner himself when he done freed her. I reckon you can call it her parting gift for forty-plus some odd years of servitude. Then, when she passed, she give it to her eldest daughter…and then from her to her eldest daughter; and so on, until…Adele's mama left it to her when she passed." Nadine's dumbfounded over hearing its history. "Oh my God, Adele…I can't take this. Here." Nadine tries to return the necklace; but Adele refuses to take it. Adele's becoming upset. "But why? Don't you like it, Nadine?" She starts to softly cry. Nadine immediately takes hold of Adele's hand and assures her, "Of course I like it, Adele…I love it. But I can't take it." Nadine pleadingly looks to Cheryl for help. In turn, Cheryl turns to Adele's grandmother for her assistance… "Estelle…you can't let Adele give that necklace away…it's a family heirloom." "Yes…yes it is. And it belongs to Adele…and she can do what she sees fit to do with it." Nadine tries again to give it back to Adele. "Please…Adele…take it." "No. It's yours now. I gave it to you…and I'm not taking it back." Tears begin to form in Nadine's eyes as she lovingly looks down upon the locket; then she looks back to Adele and nods. "Okay. But why?" Adele takes hold of the hand Nadine's holding the locket in. "This necklace is suppose to be good luck for its owner. It kinda looks out for them. That's what my Grandma says…" She turns to Estelle. "Right; Grandma?" Estelle nods. "That's right, Suga'bear." Adele turns back to Nadine. "Now it can look out for you. It will help you get better." Cheryl immediately chokes up, and dashes out of the room. David gets up and goes after her. Corrine follows.