Free The Jewels of Sofia Tate by Doris Etienne

her?”
    Dan shrugged. “Do you know the strange thing about Mrs. Tate’s story?”
    Garnet shook her head.
    â€œI’ve known her all my life and yesterday was the first time I ever heard of any missing jewels.”
    Garnet lifted her chin and sniffed. “Well
maybe
that’s because she just never trusted anyone enough before.”
    â€œAnd you think she should trust
you?
No offence, but how long did you say you’ve known her?”
    Exactly three days.
    â€œSo, what are you saying? She invented the story?” Garnet snapped.
    Dan grinned and seemed amused that she was losing her temper. He put his hands behind his head and lay down on the grass. “Maybe.”
    Garnet’s eyes narrowed. Was he always this annoying? “What do you mean ’maybe’? Why would she do that? Who would make up a story like that with so many details if it weren’t true? Are you saying she’s a liar?”
    Dan leaned up on one elbow, his tone suddenly more serious. “No. Not a liar. She’s ...” He paused as he tried to choose the right words. “The thing is, she’s not well. You know it yourself, seeing that she collapsed in front of your house. Grandpa says she’ll probably have to go into a nursing home soon, whether she wants to or not. She had a stroke over a year ago and it took her monthsto get over it. She’s better now, but she doesn’t always think clearly. She forgets stuff. Everyone who knows her says she’s changed. Some people from church even take turns to look in on her because she has no family and they worry about her. Sure, she has Gerdie to help her out, which I suppose is good. Not that Gerdie will ever win the Miss Congeniality Award.”
    Garnet burst into laughter. “Gerdie is kind of weird.”
    A sudden squeal, accompanied by a white explosion of a thousand shooting stars that lit up the sky before showering back to earth, stopped their talk about Elizabeth.
    Despite Dan’s revelation about Elizabeth and his doubts about her story, Garnet forgot everything for the moment and enjoyed the fireworks more than she had enjoyed anything in what seemed like ages. She was content just to sit next to Dan and watch the show, choreographed to the music of the orchestra.
    Justin didn’t return until the thundering close of the grand finale. Then the three picked their way through the confusion of the departing crowd. They were nearing the pavilion when Dan said, “Hey, isn’t that Laura and Michelle over there?”
    Justin and Garnet squinted where Dan was pointing.
    â€œYeah, it is,” Justin said, sounding annoyed. “Come on, let’s go this way!” He turned to go in a different direction.
    But it was too late. Laura had already seen them and waved. “Hey, Dan!” she called.
    â€œOh, great,” Justin hissed under his breath.
    Dan waved back. “What’s wrong?” he asked his friend in a low tone.
    â€œI don’t want to talk to Michelle.”
    Under the dim light of the park lamp, Garnet recognized the girls as part of the popular group that Dan hung out with at school. She had often seen them together at lunch and in the halls. Laura was tall, blond, and blue-eyed, a basketball star in Grade 11. The short jacket and tight jeans she wore tonight emphasized her long, athletic legs. Michelle had soft brown eyes and long, wavy, brown hair that was usually tied back in a ponytail. But her broad smile melted right off her face the instant she saw Justin. Laura hurried over to meet them but Michelle stood back for a moment before slowly following her, stepping around a family with a wagon and stroller.
    â€œHey, guys, why didn’t you tell me you were coming tonight?” Laura asked.
    Dan shrugged. “We decided at the last minute. How’d you get here?”
    â€œDad dropped us off. He’s coming back to pick us up on David Street. We were just going to