Chapter 32

Nadine begins examining the locket's outer façade; then opens it. She discovers a photo of a beautiful young woman inside. "Adele;" she holds the locket up, "who's this?" Adele beams a radiant smile, as her eyes sentimentally focus on the picture, and proudly declares, "That's my Mama." "She's beautiful." Nadine looks to Adele. "Don't you at least want her picture back?" "No…that's alright. I don't know if the necklace will help as good if her picture ain't in there." Adele takes another look at her mother's photograph, then looks back to Nadine. "Now you have her with you; and she can look out for you and protect you. She's your guardian angel, Nadine." Nadine looks to Adele. "But…shouldn't she be your guardian angel, Adele? If she's mine, who's going to look after you?" Adele turns to Estelle and smiles. "I got my Grandma for that…and my Grandpa Joe up in Heaven." She looks back to Nadine. "It's okay, Nadine…I have people looking out for me…" She looks once more at the picture in the locket. "And now, you do, too." Estelle's starting to load the dishwasher in the Martin's kitchen, when Nadine enters; still tenderly caressing the gift Adele gave her mere moments ago. She pensively watches Estelle arranging the dishes in the machine a few minutes before speaking up. "Mrs. Wilson?" Estelle continues loading the dishwasher. "Yes, Nadine?" "I don't want you to worry." She stops and turns to face Nadine. "Worry about what, child?" "The necklace…leaving your family…" Estelle turns back and resumes loading the dishwasher. "Oh don't you mind that. I ain't bothered none; if that's what's troubling your mind." "But it belongs in your family…it's Adele's…and…" "And she gave it to you." Estelle faces Nadine. "And she must really want you to have it. You know how I know that?" "No…how?" "Because that there locket and necklace is the only thing Adele has left from her mama. And Adele loves her mama. She don't know her none…but she love her." Estelle turns and resumes loading the dishwasher. "So; if she gave it to you…then she must really want you to have it." Nadine fondly looks down upon the locket in silence for a brief moment. "Yeah; well…I still don't think it's right to be outside of your family. I'll take it for now…since Adele insists that I keep it…but when I die; I'll have it in my will that she gets it back. Okay?" Estelle somberly shakes her head and quietly mutters to herself, "No…" She goes to Nadine, takes her by the hands and walks her over to the table. "Nadine…sit down." Nadine sits; immediately followed by Estelle. She patiently waits as Estelle appears to be taking a moment in thought. "Nadine…Joe…my husband…Adele's grandfather…do you know how he died?" "No." "Well…he died from stomach cancer, Nadine. Now, I know a little something about the cancer, child. It's an ugly, hard, relentless disease…and it's scary. And I know that sometimes it may only make sense at some point to accept that you may gonna die from it…I know…to make it a little easier to deal with. My Joe did…towards the end. I know it helps…" Estelle pauses briefly. "But do this old lady one small favor, Nadine…don't give up hope just yet. Don't…don't give in to this disease so easy now. I realize it don't look too promising maybe…but just don't give up hope." "Mrs. Wilson…I can hope all I want…but the reality is…I'm not going to be able to beat it." There's another brief lull in their conversation as Estelle thinks. She decides to take a different approach in hopes of inspiring Nadine not to give up. "Nadine…Adele never had any friends growing up…you know that; right?" Nadine nods. "Nobody was ever willing to give her a chance to…"