The Jewels of Sofia Tate (23 page)

Dr. Chan shook his head. “I'm sorry. We did all we could but we couldn't save her. Are you a relative?”

Garnet hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah.” In a way, she supposed she was.

“We did all we could but she was too weak. Had she lived, she would have required twenty-four-hour care. Is there perhaps someone we can call for you?”

Garnet shook her head. “No, it's okay.”

“I'll call my grandfather. He was Elizabeth's pastor,” Dan said.

The doctor nodded. “All right. And again, I'm sorry,” he said, then he left the room.

Garnet felt numb. But as she slowly absorbed the reality, she trembled and the tears began to fall. Dan put his arm around her and held her. They sat that way for some time.

After a while, Garnet looked down and realized she was still holding the necklace. It was dangling from her fingers like prayer beads. She carefully placed it back inside the crucifix and slid the cover over, the springs clicking into place. She set the cross on her lap and leaned forward, her head in her hands. “I suppose, in a way, it's my fault.”

“Your fault?”

“That she died. I should've known better than to show her the necklace when her heart was so weak. And then she took the mask off. It was too much for her.”

Dan pulled Garnet straight up and turned her to face him. “Don't you ever think that. It wasn't your fault. And anyway, how would you have felt if she'd died and you hadn't shown her the jewels? She died in peace. She saw them and knew they weren't lost forever. Didn't you see her smile?”

Garnet nodded. She had seen it.

Dan squeezed her hand. “Come on. I'll take you home. I have to give Grandpa a call.”

Garnet picked up the crucifix and held it in front of her.

“It's yours now,” Dan said. “She gave it to you.”

“The jewels of Sofia Tate,” Garnet mused. “Who would have ever imagined they'd be
my
inheritance.”

Garnet dabbed some floral perfume behind her ears and powdered her nose before applying a soft pink gloss to her lips. She stepped back to make a final inspection in the mirror. Her red curls were pulled back, with a few left loose to spill onto her cheeks and shoulders; the diamond and sapphire earrings flashed in the mirror, as did the sapphire pendant necklace above the bodice of her strapless violet gown. She twirled and watched the tiny beads on the long skirt sparkle. What would Elizabeth have said if she could have seen her?

Garnet had been doing that a lot since Elizabeth died — wondering what she would have thought. Though she had known her for only a short time, Elizabeth's face seemed to flash before her at the oddest moments. For the first time, in what seemed like months, Garnet's life was taking a turn for the better. She felt that way especially after she had read Amy's emails. The first one had been sent three weeks earlier:

Hey Garnet,

Party got raided. 200 people showed up and a neighbour called the cops. I got nabbed for possession but I swear to God, I got no clue how that X got into my pocket. I was drinking and so out of it. I think Jody might've planted it so she wouldn't get caught. Shoulda never trusted her.

My life is sooo over. The rents don't trust me at all. I'm not allowed to go anywhere except school. But I guess it probably doesn't matter. I got no real friends around here, anyway.

I asked Mom if you could come up and stay this summer. She said okay as long as we stayed home. Can you come? Pleeez say yes. I miss ya.

Luv Amy

A week later Amy had written: “Hey Garnet. Did you get my email? Miss you. A.” And yesterday: “Hey Garnet! Are you mad at me or something? A.”

Garnet had replied:

Sorry I didn't get back. No, I'm not mad. Just busy. Elizabeth, the old lady I told you about died a couple of weeks ago. And school's been the worst. Yesterday, I found out I failed math, so I gotta go to summer school. Boo! But I got some good news, too. Tonight, I'm going to the formal with Dan, the grocery boy! It's gonna be so awesome! Can't wait!

Too bad about that party. Always knew Jody was bad news but I didn't think she pulled stuff like that on friends. But guess what? Mom said I can come up to see you. It'll probably be in August since summer school's in July. I can stay for a couple of weeks. After that, I'm going to a youth camp with Dan, and some of my new friends. Maybe you can come too?? See if your mother lets you. It'll be fun. Maybe my mom can talk to yours.

We're moving again but in Kitchener. Mom got a promotion here so we're staying for good. We're buying Elizabeth's house and moving in the fall. Hope we get rid of the bats first.

Elizabeth was such a good person. She left almost everything to charity. She gave me something, too, but I'll tell you about that when I see you. Mom also found out about her dad (he's dead) but she has an aunt (alive). It's really weird. I'll tell you later.

Gotta go!

Luv,

G.

The sound of the doorbell pulled Garnet back to the present. She picked up her new watch on the dresser and saw it was nearly five o'clock. She crossed the room and peered through the blinds. The white limousine was parked on the street with the door open. She could see Justin and Michelle laugh as they shared a joke with Laura and her new boyfriend, Tony, from another school. Somehow Michelle and Justin had come to some kind of truce and agreed to attend the formal as friends.

And Laura was one of the kindest people Garnet had ever met. When Garnet had apologized to her, Laura had simply hugged her and said, “Hey, forget it. It's okay.” She had a feeling that they were going to become good friends. The kids at Cameron Heights weren't so bad after all.

Garnet picked up the silver evening purse that matched her strappy shoes, and was about to head downstairs when Ginger raised herself from her napping position. She leaped off the bed and, with whiskers bent forward, brushed up against Garnet's ankles.

“Sorry, Ginger, but you can't come with me tonight.” She bent down and gave the cat a quick pat on her yellow-brown fur. “But I'll see you later.”

Garnet's mother and Anna were seated on the couch, chatting with Dan in the armchair, when Garnet came downstairs. The women had gone over to Elizabeth's house earlier to look at Sofia's portrait and the old photographs.

Anna stopped talking in mid-sentence and Dan's eyes widened as Garnet made her entrance.

“Wow!” Dan said, letting go of the small cardboard box he'd been holding and fumbling to catch it before it dropped to the floor. He looked more handsome than ever in a black suit and grey shirt with a matching silk tie.

Anna found her tongue again.
“Mon Dieu.
She looks like Sofia.”

Garnet's mother stood up and went over to her
daughter. With shining eyes she gazed at her for a moment
before slipping her arms around her and giving her a kiss
on the cheek. “You are beautiful,” she said proudly. She
drew back and touched the sapphire pendant. “But I still
don't know about you wearing this “

“Oh, Mom. I want to wear it. It'll be fine!” Garnet tried to reassure her for the umpteenth time.

Dan stood up. “I'll protect her with my life. If anyone even tries to come near her, they'll have to deal with me first. I promise,” he said, holding his hand up and tightening it into a fist. They all laughed and Dan handed Garnet the box, bowing. “For the princess.”

Garnet's eyebrows shot up. “The princess? Oh, yeah, like Sofia. I forgot.” She lifted the lid and smiled. “Ooh! An orchid!” She pulled the corsage out and set the box on the table. Dan took the orchid from her and she held her hand out as he slipped the band onto her wrist. “It's beautiful, Dan. Thank you.”

Dan's lips curved into a lopsided smile. “Now, does the princess wish to attend the ball?” he asked, holding out an elbow.

Laughing, Garnet tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Yes. Yes, she does.”

“Then let us go.”

And so they did.

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