Chapter 14 - Mia Decided The Ring Should Go Back Into The Box
Once the ring was legally returned, I asked Mia what she wanted.
She was eight by then.
Her brace was gone.
Her leg had healed normally.
I placed the ring box on the table.
“This is yours someday.”
She stared at it.
“Can I see?”
I opened it.
The diamond caught the afternoon light.
Mia smiled.
“That’s Mommy’s.”
“Yes.”
She touched the edge of the box but not the ring.
“Do I have to wear it?”
“No.”
“Can it go back?”
“Back where?”
“The safe.”
I was surprised.
“Sure.”
She looked relieved.
Then said:
“I don’t want Elena in my head every time I see it.”
That sentence sounded far older than eight.
Her therapist later explained that Mia needed the object to stop being evidence.
So we put it back.
Not because Elena had contaminated it forever.
Because ownership includes the right not to use something.
The ring belonged to Mia.
May you like
So did the decision.
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