Chapter Two:

It was times like that when you don't want to say goodbye. My mom had told me that. I didn't ever want her to go. She was only 37. And as a 13 year old girl, I wanted, no, needed my mother. But before she as she said her last words, she slipped a small paper bag in my jacket pocket. I still have the bag. I never opened it because I was afraid of what I would find. Now, I want to open it. I want to find out what is in the mysterious bag. I slip my fingers around the folds and yank it open. I peek my eyes in to look and find a small crystal. A diamond. And underneath is a note.

Dear Vanessa,

I thought you might want to know, I took a pile of sand in a bag to the jewel compressor. He told me that for twenty dollars, he would push on this sand with the machine. Once he gave me the bag of sand afterward, there was no sand at all. But a small diamond. I want to give it to you when it is my time to go. When I was 34 I was diagnosed with lymphoma. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I knew that you would worry. But I kept this diamond for 3 years and I finally gave it to you. Saying goodbye is the hardest part so, keep this diamond close to you. I love you.

Farewell, Your Mother,

So those were her true last words. And I'm glad that she directed them to me.