A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Seventeen
They entered Stacy's Pawn Shop. And old man
sat hunched over at the counter. Jack walked right up to him. "Are you the
owner of this place?"
"Yes, I'm David Stacy. Why?"
"I want to make a deal with you."
He put the ring on the counter. "I hope you can be of some help."
David's eyes grew wide, and he sat up
straight. "Well, son, I think I could help."
Brian stepped back and watched. He still did
not agree with Jack's decision to sell the ring without Rose's consent. He also
know that he was in way over his head. He had never been good at pawning
things. Jack, however, obviously knew what he was doing.
"Now, I know this ring is worth well
into the thousands. I'm willing to overlook that, though, in exchange for some
other items."
Brian arched his eyebrow. "What would
those other items be?"
Jack put his finger on the glass case and
pointed to some jewelry. "I want to see those rings and those
necklaces."
"Certainly, sir." David unlocked
the case and pulled out the gold jewelry.
Suddenly Brian realized what Jack was doing.
He wasn't just getting money, he was going to buy things for Rose. Things out
of love. Unlike the previous jewels she had been showered with.
Jack looked over the rings. He wanted to give
Rose a proper engagement ring. He spotted one that was perfect. A simple gold
band with vines etched around it, and a diamond set in the middle that looked
like a flower blooming. He smiled brightly when he picked it up. It glistened
in the light. "I'll take this ring."
"Ah. A fine choice, sir. And you were
admiring the necklaces." David was having more fun than he had had in
years. He never got to bargain for sales anymore. People just didn't like the
risk.
Jack inspected the jewelry. They ranged from
very elaborate diamond chokers to simple gold chains. Finally, he found exactly
what he was looking for. A gold heart-shaped locket. The front of the heart was
designed with flowers, while the back was plain. Which was perfect for the next
part of Jack's plan.
"Say, David. Do you do engraving?"
David smiled. "Yes, we do."
Jack nodded. "Good." He took a tiny
piece of paper and a pencil from the counter and wrote a familiar phrase.
"I would like you to engrave that on the back of this locket."
David nodded. "It'll be ready in a
minute I just have to go in the back." He disappeared into the back of the
store.
Brian walked over and stood next to Jack.
"That's a beautiful ring. Rose will love it. Any woman would love it. You've
got good taste, Jack."
"Thanks."
David returned with the locket in hand.
"I hope this is to your liking."
He handed Jack the tiny gold heart. He smiled
and nodded. "It's perfect."
"Could you get me a box for that
ring?"
"I sure can." David took out a ring
box from under the counter and placed the engagement piece in it.
Jack straightened himself. "Now, how
much are you willing to give me for the ring?"
"Eight hundred."
"Give me a thousand."
David squinted his eyes. One thousand dollars
was a lot of money. He knew of plenty of dealers that would gladly pay that
much and even more. "All right." He laughed. "You sure know how
to do business, boy. I'll be back with your money. I don't keep that kind of
cash in the register."
Jack and Brian left the store with a ring, a
necklace, and one thousand dollars. "This has been the perfect day,"
Brian commented. Jack shook his head. "It won't be perfect until I get to
give these things to Rose."
Brian smiled.
"I wonder how she's doing." Jack
sighed.
*****
Rose pulled open the glass door. "Oh,
Jack would love this place." There were pastel drawings and abstract
paintings hung on the walls. And it smelled like turpentine.
Maggie took it all in. "I've never been
in here before. I was sure missing a lot."
Rose smiled. "It's like a dream."
Suddenly a voice broke into their
conversation. "Can help you?" A young girl about Rose's age stood
with her arms folded. She looked the two girls up and down. Her lips formed
into a pout when she studied Rose. The girl thought she looked like some sort
of princess holding her head up high. Her dress flowing from her. Red curls
framing her perfect face. Immediately, she didn't like her.
"Well, do you know what you're looking
for, or not?"
Maggie was not pleased with the girl's tone.
She was about put the girl in her place when Rose spoke up. "Yes, I'm
looking to purchase a portfolio, some charcoal, and tools. Do you have those
things?"
"This is an art store," the girl
snapped. She sighed heavily. "Portfolios are in the back with the easels
and canvases. Charcoal and tools are on the left wall and paper is on the
right." With that said, she retreated to the counter and sat behind the
register.
"Well, I never..." Maggie said
under her breath, and stormed off into the back of the store. Rose quickly
followed.
"Did you see the way she looked at you?
What in the world was that all about?"
Rose giggled. "She is probably just
tired."
"Tired! That's no excuse. If I wasn't so
proper I would have smacked her precious little mouth. That would teach
her." Maggie blushed, realizing what she just said was very hostile.
Rose laughed. "Let's not think about it.
We're here for Jack."
Maggie nodded.
They looked over the selection. And decided
on a brown leather portfolio with a gold clip to hold it shut. Then they moved
to the charcoal. Maggie squinted. "I have no idea what I'm looking at.
They all seem the same to me."
"Well, they are each a different
quality. Some better than others. And they make different sized lines."
Rose picked up the best quality she could find. Plus sharpening tools and a
carrying pouch. "Now all we need is the paper."
They were both surprised when they reached
the paper section. Not only was there paper, but there were prints of
paintings. "Oh, Maggie. These are some of my favorite paintings. I'll have
to get them." Rose selected a few of the prints. She found it funny that
two weeks ago she was standing in museums looking at the real versions, and now
she was in a New York City shop buying prints of them. Maggie grabbed a stack
of paper to go in the portfolio.
Reluctantly, they approached the register.
Silently, the girl rang them up. "Fifteen dollars." Rose handed her
the money and took her package. Maggie glared at the girl and walked outside.
Rose soon followed.
They walked home. Maggie had Rose in
stitches. The whole journey back she kept commenting on the clerk.