Chapter 4

I looked at Yale. He said nothing as he arranged the flowers and other things we'd brought for Dad, apparently seeing nothing wrong with what Yvonne had said.

"I can afford my dad's cemetery fees just fine. But if you're worried your own kids won't be able to afford yours someday, you might want to leave instructions to scatter your ashes at sea."

Yvonne's mouth twitched. "I'm sorry, Zoe. I was just talking without thinking. I didn't mean to offend you."

Yale immediately stepped between us. "Zoe Winters, she made one thoughtless comment. Did you really have to say something that nasty?"

Interesting. When Yvonne insulted me, he'd kept his mouth shut. I gave her the same treatment, and suddenly he couldn't stand it.

Mom hurried in before the argument could get any worse. "Zoe, let it go. It's the anniversary of your father's passing. Let's not fight today."

"I'm so sorry," Yvonne said. "I really do have a bad habit of speaking before I think. I didn't mean to upset either of you."

Her mouth was apologizing, but the rest of her wasn't. Her gaze wandered all over the cemetery until it settled on the diamond tennis bracelet around Mom's wrist.

"That's gorgeous. Are those real diamonds? I've never seen a bracelet like that up close. Could I take a look?"

Before Mom or I could answer, Yale answered for us.

"Sure. Mrs. Winters, let her see it."

I moved in front of Mom. "No. My dad gave that bracelet to my mom when they were together. It means a lot to her."

"She's only going to look at it. It's not like she's going to hurt it. Why are you being so stingy?"

"You're right. I could never be as generous as you. Two thousand dollars for a hundred pictures, and you wouldn't even take the discount."

Yale's expression hardened. "Are you seriously bringing that up again?"

Mom couldn't stand seeing us fight, especially here. She took off the bracelet herself.

"Enough, both of you. She's only going to look at it. It's fine."

But Yvonne had gone to too much trouble to get her hands on it just to admire it.

Mom held out the bracelet. As Yvonne reached for it, she deliberately loosened her fingers.

The bracelet hit the pavement. Its delicate links snapped, sending diamonds scattering across the ground.

For thirty years, Mom had worn that bracelet, carrying all those memories of Dad with her. Now it lay broken at our feet.

My heart seemed to stop.

Yvonne gasped dramatically and rushed toward me. "Oh my God, Zoe, I'm so sorry! It slipped!"

"Get away from me!"

I raised my hand to push her back, but before I even touched her, Yvonne threw herself backward. She hit the ground and scraped her hand badly enough to draw blood.

"Yvonne!"

Yale rushed to help her up. The second he saw her bloody hand, he turned on me.

"It's just a bracelet, Zoe. Tell me what it cost and I'll replace it. Did you really have to hurt her over it?"

"That bracelet was from my dad, and you're calling it just a bracelet?"

"I don't care how valuable it was. That doesn't give you the right to hit someone."

Mom stood beside me, wiping away tears. "Yale, I saw what happened. Zoe didn't push her. Yvonne lost her balance."

Yale looked at Yvonne.

She lowered her head. "Whatever she says."

His face immediately darkened.

"Of course you'd say that. You're her mother. Naturally you're going to take your side."

He put an arm around Yvonne and helped her away, supporting her with every step.

Mom started to follow them, but I caught her arm and shook my head.

"Forget it, Mom."

If Yale didn't consider me family after all these years, there was no point chasing after him and making a fool of myself.

I crouched down and gathered the broken bracelet and scattered diamonds. I had just pulled out my phone to see if I could find a jeweler who might be able to repair it when an email from corporate appeared on my screen.

It was a transfer notice.

We went several days without speaking before Yale finally reached out.

[I was angry that day and said some things I shouldn't have. Don't take them to heart.]