Page 22 of Adore Me
"We are going to go to the club. Let's go," Sammy put his arm around my shoulder and we walked the two blocks that it took to get to the club.
Before we got to the club, I noticed that Joel's parents were in front of a store putting a new couch in their truck. I wasn't sure if I should avoid them or embrace them. What is the polite thing to do when you come across your ex in laws?
While I was trying to decide, Joel's mother spotted me. She ran up in front of me and threw her arms around my shoulders. "Savannah, it has been too long! How are you?" Katherine pulled me out of the hug and scanned my body. "My son is crazy! You are beautiful. Hey, sweetheart! Look its Savannah!"
Sammy tensed next to me and rubbed my elbow. "Is everything all right?" He asked and looked around.
"Yes, of course! These are Joel's parents. Katherine, Jim, this is my friend Sammy." I introduced everyone and smiled. I looked at Sammy and motioned for him to leave. "It’s all right. I will be in a few," he hugged me, and I lightly hugged him back before he left to inside.
"Our son is stupid. You look more and more gorgeous every time we see you. How is everything going with you?" Jim asked as I hugged him tightly.
"Everything is fine. I am so happy to see you both." Here we stood in the middle of the sidewalk and held a reunion. "How are you guys? Are you still golfing?" I directed that last question to Jim.
"Great and yes!" Jim nudged Katherine and she walked back to the truck. "Joel will kill us if he knew we took this from him," Katherine came back holding my jewelry box.
I watched as the slow and careful smile from my old mother-in-law spread across her face. "We found this in his place while I cleaned. All of your jewelry is in there... besides..." She looked away and seemed troubled. I grabbed the box out of her hand and held the box to me. "Your mother's wedding set is gone."
Tears sprung from my eyes as I held the box that I thought was gone forever. "Wow," that is all I could say as I processed what she said. "Did you come across anything else of mine?" I wanted to go through the box to do a thorough sweep of it to see if the ring was just hiding. When I was staying in my old apartment with Joel, I was so distraught that I didn't even think to look for this. Granted, I never was alone in the place for long enough to do a thorough sweep.
Katherine looks so nervous and I feel awful because she and Jim meant so much to me. Most people don't realize the extent of a divorce and you are divorcing the whole family. "Yes, I found this in Joel's safe. I had no idea that he had this so please don't be mad at me," Katherine handed me an envelope. I went to open it, but she stopped me. "You should open this in private." I nodded.
"Savannah?" I jumped clear out of my skin when he spoke to me. "Are you all right? We are waiting for you to come eat with us," Vincent walked out of the social club wearing a beautiful blue silky shirt and a grey tie.
He looks like a god who graced us with his presence, and I am suddenly swamped with emotions that I didn't know existed.
"Yes, of course." I look from Katherine and Jim back to Vincent and knew it would not be polite if I didn't introduce them. "Vincent, these are Joel's parents. Jim and Katherine. I would like to introduce you to my someone," Vincent looped his arm around my waist and said hi. "I should be going though. Thank you for this!" I hugged each of them and thanked them again.
He waved at Joel's parents and placed his palm on the center of my back and led me into the club. "I am sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to make sure you were all right. What's that?" He pointed to the envelope.
My stomach growled which caused me to giggle. "I am not sure. Let's go inside. I am hungry." I stopped in front of the door abruptly and puckered my lips. This has become my tell of requesting a kiss. Once my request was granted, I moved to open the door only to have him swat my hand to do it for me.
For such an intimidating man, he can be so romantic towards me. It’s weird because I know what he does but when he acts like this, I think about how much he loves and cares for me.
We walked inside, and there were about ten different men sitting around the table. I have grown accustomed to the fact that they hug and then kiss my cheek as I greeted them. So, when they did it this time, I didn't stop them.
"Hi, guys. How is it going?" I asked as I took a chair from the back corner of the room to sit at the table with them. Once I was at the table, I set my jewelry box down and opened it.
The guys talked and I ignored them as I took each piece of my jewelry out and examined it. Everything was here besides the ring. My broach, necklaces, bracelets and watches were in here. I found a few of my rings and earrings, especially the canary ones that Vincent gave me.
I quickly plucked up the earrings and made fast work of securing them into my ears. Vincent looked over at me and winked as he seen what I did.
I put the jewelry back in the box and opened the envelope. Even though my parents have been dead for fifteen years, I would recognize her writing anywhere. I choked back a sigh and left the table to go into the kitchen. There was no way that I could read this in front of everyone.
Once in the kitchen, I allowed myself to read it.
Chapter 20
My Dearest Savannah,
If you are reading this, this means that you are getting married. I am so happy for you and wish I could have been there to tell you that you are the most beautiful woman in the world. Because you are. I am so sorry that we couldn't be there, and that if you are reading this then... that means we are dead.
You are the most prized jewel in the world, and I hope you know your worth. Your father and my life has been so wonderful and complete with you in it. Vans, you brought us to life. I couldn't imagine my life without you.
Your father and I love you and worship you. There is only a few things that I wished we could have done differently. One, be there for your graduations and two, be there for your wedding.
Enclosed in this envelope is a money order that doesn't expire. This money order is everything that your dad and I have put aside for you. I hope you enjoy this gift for you and your new husband.
We love you so much,
