Free Finding Home by Ninette Swann Page B

was open, even on Christmas.
    “Anything you’d like, honey,” he said. “But are you sure you want to delay your return home?”
    She nodded. This was the least she could do. She gave the jewelry a goodbye tug as she made her way to the door.
    Peering at the greasy young man behind the counter, she offered up her family history.
    “I’ll give you five-hundred dollars for them.”
    “What?” Jessica peered at the kid behind the counter. She hadn’t expected to get full price for the pieces, but she knew they were worth at least five-hundred-thousand possibly a million. “No, I can’t do that.”
    “Best I can do,” he said, not deigning to look at her.
    “What’s going on out there, Freddy?” An old woman’s voice echoed from the back room.
    “Nothing, Granny,” the man bit back. “Just a chick trying to sell her wedding rings on Christmas.”
    Jessica bristled.
    “These aren’t mine,” she said. “They belonged to my dead mother, and I know for a fact that they’re worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. I’ll be on my way.”
    She moved quickly to exit the shop, the door jingling as she pulled it open.
    “Wait a moment, dearie, if you will.” The elderly woman hobbled her way to the front.
    Jessica hesitated, looking back at the short, fragile frame that had come to stand behind her.
    “What are you really doing here?” the matron asked.
    “It’s a really long story,” Jessica began, but stopped as unexpected tears threatened to break her composure. The woman waited patiently. “I’ve come home for Christmas to meet a family I never knew,” Jessica began again. “I’m trying to bridge over an old grudge, but I don’t really know what I’m doing.” Insecurity folded over her. She felt so very small and alone.
    She set her jaw. She’d not let these scheming people see her cry.
    “Let me see them,” the woman said, holding out a veined hand.
    Jessica considered her for a long moment before slipping the chain over her head and placing them in the grandma’s palm. “I don’t have much time. My friend is waiting for me outside.”
    “Friend?” The young man sniggered. “Looks like a cabbie to me.”
    “Sure is,” said Jessica, her eyes flashing up at him in anger. “And my only friend right now.”
    “Make it two,” the old woman said, handing the rings back to Jessica.
    “Two?”
    “Two friends.” The lady’s face crinkled into a smile. “Freddy, give the woman five-thousand for these.”
    “What?” The young man was incredulous. “We don’t even know if they’re real. You can’t be serious.”
    “Oh, I’m deathly serious,” the woman said, not looking at her grandson but keeping her gaze trained on Jessica. “I’m Mae,” she said. “Pleased to meet you.”
    “Pleased to meet you,” Jessica echoed, unsure of what exactly was taking place.
    “I’ll give you the money for these on one condition,” Mae continued as she turned and hobbled to the counter.
    Jessica sighed. Of course. Conditions.
    She waited for the woman to continue.
    “After tonight,” Mae said, “you have to promise me you’ll come back.”
    “What? Why?”
    Mae smiled at her. “Because,” she murmured as Jessica gave the jewelry back to her, “if these are real, which I suspect they are, you’re right. They’re worth a lot more than five-thousand dollars.”
    “Then we should sell them to the highest bidder,” the young man piped up, exasperation on his face. “New Year’s and Valentine’s Day are coming up. Some rich schmuck will buy them for ten times the cost.”
    “Why don’t you shut up,” Mae snapped at her grandson. “It’s Christmas. Follow Christ.” She turned back to Jessica. “We will keep these in the backroom, saving them for you. Will you come back?”
    Jessica nodded, a lump lodged in her throat.
    “Give her the money,” Mae ordered. With reluctant fingers, Freddy turned over the cash.
    “I don’t know what to say,” Jessica said to Mae, fingering