Page 36 of Crying Shame
Roxanne took my hand. “Don’t be scared. I just figured you needed some jewelry for the family portrait later.”
I’d not expected we would be taking a picture. My stomach knotted, but then I let out the breath I’d been holding and shook my head. “I don’t need—“
“You do, dear,” she said and gestured for me to follow her to the stairs. “It’s expected, and I have more jewelry than most people. Come.”
Right.With every step, I remembered how Roxanne had never once complained about me playing with her sons when I was a child.
It had been my parents who'd complained.
We walked into a room where jewels were on display like it was a museum, and she unlocked a safe built into the wall, waving for me to join her. I was sure that the Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels were kept, wasn’t half as fancy as this.
Inside the walk-in safe were walls of jewelry color coded by the jewel. I’d been in here only once as a girl, and when my parents had found out, as punishment they'd locked me inside my room for a day without food or water.
I forced my hands to drop to my sides as I stared at all the diamonds. “These are beautiful.”
She took out a diamond necklace and held it against me then shook her head.
“Did you give birth naturally to Sam?” she asked.
She held out another necklace, considered it, then shrugged and put it down on a side table.
“I did have a natural birth," I said. "It was cheaper that way.”
Roxanne cupped my face. “I hate to even imagine what things have been like for you.”
“It’s okay,” I said.
She took both my hands. “No, it’s not. I saw how your parents treated you. It was why I always encouraged you to be here… with my boys, every day. Then I knew you ate.”
My eyes widened. I hadn’t realized she’d noticed.
She continued, “I’m sorry you didn’t feel comfortable coming to me years ago for help.”
I burst into tears. “You’re being too nice right now.”
She had tears in her eyes too. “When Elon told me about Sam, I bought your parents the condo in Fort Myers, so you could feel comfortable coming here. Don’t worry about them. You’re family, and we stick together.”
Roxanne had just fulfilled one of my dreams. Belonging to the Norouzi family had always been a fantasy of mine.
She let me go, and I swiped away my tears. “I need a few minutes.”
She handed me another diamond necklace. I didn’t take it, so she fastened it around my neck. “Take all the time in the world, but can I say one more thing?”
“Of course.” It seemed like I’d wished for this moment forever.
She rubbed my arms. “If you ever need anything, ever, even if it’s just advice on how to deal with my son, please know I’ll do anything for my family. And that includes you.”
My eyes felt glassy, like I was about to cry again. “Thank you.”
“This necklace looks lovely on you.” She directed me to a mirror.
I stared at myself and saw someone else, someone who wasn’t me. She pressed some earrings into my palm, and I put them on. As I gazed at myself in the mirror, I felt pretty.
She left me alone in her vault, and I surveyed the color-coded stones. I’d always imagined visiting the Tower of London, and here I was in a room that was probably just as grand. And this time, no one was going to lock me away for being here.
I wiped my face and joined Roxanne in the hall where she was waiting for me. I took her hand, and we returned to the party.
This time, my mood felt lighter.
