The Emerald Legacy

Valerie felt her heart skip a beat. She grasped Helena's hand and exclaimed, “Mom, what are you saying? You'll always be young in my heart!”

As she spoke, she leaned her head on Helena's shoulder.

Helena massaged her daughter's shoulder and tamped down the guilt in her chest. Sometime later, she uttered meaningfully, “Take good care of that emerald pendant I gave you. It's very important.”

“Is it?