"So do you, Michael. I almost didn't recognize you."

"I've lost a few pounds since the last time we saw each other. So how are you? What are you up to? Are you still in underwriting? Ever get married? You don't look like you've had any kids."

"As a matter of fact, I just got riffed from our old firm if you can believe it, and no, I never got married but I do have a sixteen-year-old daughter."

"You won't have any problem finding another job-that is, assuming you're looking for something in the same field."

"I don't know what I'm looking for, to be honest with you. I'll figure it out. It just happened. So, how about you, Michael? Did you ever remarry?"

"No," he says and winks at me. "Maybe I've been waiting for you."

Thank You

Gloria had no idea why the policeman was pulling her over.

She wasn't speeding. She came to complete stops when she was supposed to. She definitely wasn't tailgating. Or weaving. And Blaze and Diamond were securely strapped in their car seats. This Tahoe was much bigger than her Volvo but Gloria knew how to handle it. She hadn't broken any laws.

"Here comes the policeman, Gawa," Blaze said with a tinge of excitement in her voice. Even Diamond, who was sucking her thumb, looked rather eager.

Gloria put her flashers on and rolled the window down. "Yes, officer, did I do something wrong?"

"First, may I see your license and registration and proof of insurance, please? Hi there, kids."

They merely gazed at him.

After Gloria handed him the items, she turned to the kids. "It'll be okay. Don't worry."

"Well, ma'am, you were doing thirty-one in a twenty-five-mile-per-hour zone. And," he said, looking into the backseat, "I'm not sure this is such a safe way to drive with these little ones in here."

"I understand, Officer, but my speedometer is digital and it said I was only doing twenty-six. I've been driving in this neighborhood for over twenty years. It's the route I take to work. I obey all speed limits."

"That's good to hear. For now, however, I'm going to have to issue you a citation. I'll be right back. It'll only take a few minutes."

"Gawa," Blaze said, and leaned forward in her car seat so the straps made her look like a prisoner. "Fight it! Don't pay it! Just go to court!"

Gloria turned to face her five-year-old granddaughter. "What do you know about fighting and going to court, young lady?"

"Every time the policemens stopped my mommy, as soon as he leaved she would say: 'I'm going to fight this damn ticket! I'm not paying this! I'll just go to court! I was not speeding!' "

"Oh, really," Gloria said.

Diamond was nodding her head in agreement. That thumb was probably wrinkled by now.

When the officer returned, he handed Gloria her papers. "You know what, ma'am? Two things. First, I saw that you have not had any prior infractions, and two, you're related to my buddy Tarik. Aren't you his mom?"

"I am indeed."

"He's our daddy!" Blaze yelled. Diamond nodded.

"You kids have a great dad, you know. And tell your mom Officer Bell said hello. Would you do that for me?"

"We can't," Blaze said.

"And why not, sweetheart?"

"Because she's away on vacation," Gloria interrupted.

"No, she's not on vacation, Gawa! She's in jail. We can't go see her there. We can't call either. But she'll be out soon."

First of all, this was news to Gloria-shocking news. "You know how silly kids can be," she said.

"I do. What imaginations they have. Too much TV. Anyway, ma'am, what I'm going to do today is issue you a warning. You don't have to do anything. Remember, it's always better to stay a little under the posted limit, okay?"

"I'll do that, officer. And thank you."

After Gloria pulled off, he waved. The kids didn't wave back.

"Where are we going now, Gawa?"

"First, we're going to stop by a jewelry store. Then we're going to Gawa's hair salon for a little while. Your dad said he'd bring Stone over to Gawa's after his Cub Scout meeting. And he'll pick you guys up later."

"Goodie. Can we get our nails polished?"

Diamond took that thumb out of her mouth and pointed to her toes.

"Yes, you may."

"And can we have McDonald's? Please, Gawa?"

"We'll see. Blazie, how do you know your mommy's in jail?"

"Because Brass told me and Stone."

"When did you talk to Brass?"

"Yesterday or last week. I can't remember."

"Does your dad know your mommy's in jail?"

"I don't know."

"Do you miss your mommy being at home?"

"Sometimes. But not all the time."

"Why not?"

"Because she's mean."

"Is that because she tells you no sometimes?"

Diamond started shaking her head no, that's not it at all.

"Because she hits hard. And lots of times."

"Really. Does she hit you with her hand?"

"She hit Stone with Harry Potter one time and she hit me with some shoes. Those Nikes."

Gloria gripped the steering wheel.

"What about Diamond?"

"She just always shaked her back and forth but one time Diamond hit her head on the bathroom sink when she shaked her too much."

Gloria tried not to scream or swear and had to stop herself from speed-dialing her son. She didn't want the kids to hear what she would've said to him even though she didn't know what that would've been. "Why was your mommy shaking her?"

"Because she was trying to make her talk."

"Does your daddy know your mommy did this to Diamond?"

"I don't know."

"Did you ever tell him?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't know. Can we get a Happy Meal, Gawa, please?"

"Yes, you can have a Happy Meal," Gloria said, trying her best not to let her granddaughters know tears were burning her cheeks.

She'd been thinking about doing this for a while, but hadn't had the nerve. Or the courage. However, Gloria promised herself she would do it today. Whenever she needed a plumber or electrician or handyman-even the new gardeners-her wedding ring told them she did not live alone. It protected her. This was the reason she'd been relying on it for almost eight months. She was afraid to take it off. It would make more things final. She was no longer married. And she didn't have a husband anymore. To Gloria, they meant two very different things.

Dottie had noticed it. Her friends were probably wondering when she was going to stop wearing it, too. They wouldn't ask her, though. Not yet. Even that young girl at the casino assumed her husband was parking the car.

Gloria unbuckled the kids and, with both in tow, walked up to the door. She let them both press the buzzer. This was a reputable jeweler. Joseph had told her about it. After they were buzzed in, Gloria reminded the girls how to behave. A nice older Jewish man with a thick white mustache stood behind a glass case full of diamonds on top of diamonds. "Hello, my little darlings." Blaze and Diamond appeared to be afraid of him. "It's the mustache," he said to Gloria. He then pulled both sides through his fingers, causing the tips to curl up.

The girls laughed at this.

"You look like Santa Claus but you're not fat," Blaze said.

"I hear that a lot. Would you girls like a peppermint or a chocolate kiss?" He held out a bowl of wrapped candies.

They looked up at Gloria for an okay. She nodded.

"Thank you," Blaze said.

"Thank you," Diamond said.

Gloria thought she must not have heard what she thought she'd heard. She looked hard at Diamond. "Can you say that again, sweetheart?"

"Thank you," she repeated. Gloria's mouth formed a circle, and even though she felt the air enter, she could not exhale. A moment later she bent down and gave her granddaughter a hug so strong it lifted Diamond high off the floor.

"She can say more than that," Blaze said. "She just talks when she feels like it."

"Well, I'm glad she's talking, ma'am. Now, how may I help you today?" he asked a still-in-shock Gloria.

"I believe I'm interested in having my wedding rings turned into a pendant. Or something else nice. I was told you were the best jeweler in town for this."

"Thank whoever said that for me. We certainly don't like to disappoint. Let's see what you've got there."

She held out her left hand.

"Would you mind taking them off, ma'am?"

Would you mind taking them off? It sounded like an echo. However, Gloria watched as two fingers on her right hand slid the diamond ring and wedding band off her left finger. She looked at that finger. The skin was two or three shades lighter than the rest. She hadn't seen that finger bare in almost fifteen years. She handed the rings to the jeweler as if she didn't trust him. It sounded like an echo. However, Gloria watched as two fingers on her right hand slid the diamond ring and wedding band off her left finger. She looked at that finger. The skin was two or three shades lighter than the rest. She hadn't seen that finger bare in almost fifteen years. She handed the rings to the jeweler as if she didn't trust him.

"Is your husband deceased?"

Gloria nodded and then said, "Yes, he is."

"I'm very sorry for your loss." The jeweler put a metal contraption around his head, turned on a pin light, pushed it behind a round magnifying glass and began inspecting the diamond. "I know this is difficult for you to do," he said, "but it's a very good way of keeping your loved one close while accepting that they're also gone. Tell me if you see any settings in the cases that you might like."

Gloria was looking. They were all pretty. She almost didn't care which one. After a few minutes, she pointed. "I like that one."

"Me, too," Blaze said.

Diamond nodded.

"This is a very nice stone-almost a carat and a half, as I'm sure you're aware. It looks like there's a small chip on a corner there. I could have it repaired for you quite easily."

"That would be fine."

"I can repolish it and it'll look like new. I could have it all done in about two weeks if that suits you."

"I'm in no rush."

"I'd be happy to fax you an estimate once I talk to my gem guy, and I can let you know later if this would be in your price range."

"I'm sure it's in my price range."