Writing 101, Day Four :The Serial Killer

Today, write about a loss. The twist: make this the first post in a three-post series.

24 K Gold Ring

When I left home to attend college, my mom gave me a 24 k gold ring. I didn’t want it, but she insisted me to have it. She said, “It’s for emergency. Whenever you are in trouble, you can sell the ring and use the money to buy a train ticket home.”

My family was poor. I knew Mom had borrowed money to pay for my college tuition. Had she also borrowed the money to buy this ring?

She put the ring on my finger. “It’s for emergency,” she said again.

I wore the ring for three and a half years. Then, one day, the ring slipped off my finger and fell down the drain while I was washing dishes. I frantically tried to retrieve it, but couldn’t. I felt I had failed as a daughter.

When I was home for the holiday, I told Mom what happened to the ring, and I told her not to worry. “I could borrow money from my friend if there is an emergency,” I said.

Mom didn’t say a word.

Two days later, when it was time for me to return to school, she gave me another 24 K gold ring, which I have been wearing since the day.