Into the Woods (DeBeers 4)

"So I've come up with a solution." he said, and reached into his pocket to produce a slim creamcolored box. "This might help."

She looked at me astonished and then slowly opened the box. Before she took what was in it out, she screamed. "Winston! It isn't a real one, is it?"

"I don't know how to buy anything that isn't," he said, winking at me. "I refuse to have anything do to with anything or anyone who isn't authentic."

She held it up. It was a Rolex watch. "I can't accept..."

"Here." he said, interrupting and reaching aver to take the watch. "Let me help you put it on." He fastened it around her wrist, and she stared for a moment with her mouth still wide open. Then she held it out for me to see.

"It's beautiful." I said.

"And keeps good time." Winston added. He laughed and signaled the maid to bring out their coffee. Mommy was glowing so brightly I thought she would rival the moon that was brightening into a quarter of itself every passing moment.

Afterward I wandered dawn to the shore and walked along, feeling the cool sand in my toes. The value of the gift Winston had given my mother was not lost on me. This was long past just a friendship, and that made me feel shaky and numb. Mommy and Winston went inside, and when I returned I did, too, but I didn't find them immediately. I sat and watched some television in his entertainment center, and about an hour later Mommy appeared.

"We'd better get home. Grace. It's been a big day."

"Where's Winston?"

"He had to make some phone calls. The limousine is waiting for us."

"But shouldn't I thank him?"

"You can do that tomorrow," she said.

"Tomorrow?"

"He's taking us to dinner, someplace very special," she said. There was an impish twinkle in her eyes.

"You're skipping another night of work then?" I asked as we started out,

"Yes. Dallas is fine with it."

She dozed as we were driven home. Her beautiful new Rolex twinkled in whatever light invaded the limousine. I sat looking out the window at the brightly lit streets of Palm Beach and then the bridge and the restaurants, nightclubs and gas stations we passed as we traveled through West Palm Beach, back to our condo development. Our apartment never looked as small to me.

"This is like a closet in Joya del Mar." I remarked after we had entered.

Mommy laughed. "Exactly," she said. "We're not staying here forever. That's for sure."

I hadn't meant it to sound as if I was suffering or ashamed of our home, but that was how she had taken it. Anyway, she was r

ight about the day. Even though it was a day of total enjoyment, it was tiring. I wasn't in bed five minutes before I drifted asleep and slept contentedly, maybe for the first time in a long time, until the sunlight exploded in my room and opened my eyes.

I was surprised to see Mommy in my room. She was looking in my closet.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Just thinking about what you should wear to dinner tonight." she said. "I don't think you have the right sort of dress."

I sat up.

"What? What time is it?" I glanced at the clock, "It's only seven-thirty in the morning!"

"I know, silly. I was worried about it. and I'm right, We're going shopping."

"Today?"

"The store I want to go to opens at nine-thirty today." she said. "You're going to need some new shoes. too." She turned to me. "I might get myself something new as well," she said. "Get up soon so we can have breakfast."