Writing 101, Day Thirteen: Serial Killer II

Earlier in the course, you wrote about losing something. Today, write about finding something. For your twist, view day four’s post and today’s post as installments in a series.

(If you are interested, part one is here: Writing 101, Day Four :The Serial Killer)

Mom’s Jade Ring

A Jade Ring

I am not a jewelry person. I seldom buy any, but I’ve inherited some from my mother and my sister Karin. Rings bracelets… are scattered around the house. Whenever one of them gets my attention, I would wear that piece for a couple of days. Yesterday I happened to see a jewelry box in my closet. Opening it, I saw Mom’s jade ring.

* * *

When Mom told me she had a Taiwan Jade Ring, I mindlessly responded, “Oh, really?”

“I’ll show you,” Mom said and disappeared in her walk-in closet. Few minutes later, she came back with a ring.

I took a peek at it. “It’s nice,” I said, trying not show any excitement.

Mom had many ugly rings: one pearl ring that had a broken pearl on it, one with a bloody red unknown stone on the top… We didn’t have a lot of money; she couldn’t afford expensive ones; every ring was a treasure for her. And this Taiwan Jade Ring was probably the ugliest.

“Do you want it?” Mom looked at me, clearly expecting me to say yes.

“No, thank you.” I said matter-of-factly. There was no way I would let my sister Yvonne see me wearing this ugly thing. I could almost hear her snickering.

Mom put the ring in my hand anyway. “I want you to have it.”

I got a little nervous. “Look at my fingers! I don’t wear rings, Mom. Give it to Yvonne. Yvonne loves jewelry,” I said, smiling broadly. I could almost see Yvonne’s face when Mom put the ring in her hand.

“Yvonne is picky. She wouldn’t want it,” Mom said.

But, I don’t want it either, I thought.

Mom continued, “It’s not an expensive jade but still, the rest of the ring is made of 24 K gold.”

Rings were useless for me, but something on Mom’s face stopped me rejecting this ring.

“I love it. Thank you,” I said and put the ring in my pocket, praying that Yvonne would never see me wearing it.

* * *

The dark green oval-shape jade is about the size of a dime. The gold band has a smooth surface at the bottom, but near jade stone, it is carved with leaves and fruits with four extended golden claws holding the jade.

I have never told Yvonne about my jade ring.

It’s not just a ring; it is Mom’s love. And I can feel it.