Everything okay? You left without saying good-bye.

I sat in my car and read Jimin's text. The second the rain had let up a little, I'd rushed out of the zoo and into the shelter of my red car. 

I'm fine, I sent back to Jimin.

Then I started my car. It was time to fix the only thing I felt like I could right now. Then maybe I'd feel a little better. 

☘ 𝔏𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔬 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 ☘

I stood at the brightly lit counter, looking at the rows and rows of diamonds-diamonds in rings, in bracelets, in earrings. Diamonds on broaches and in hair pins. The staff at the jewelry store had greeted me once when I came in. Now they stood in a corner talking to each other, as though waiting for a more worthy customer to bestow their energy on. I did look like a wet mop, I was sure. I didn't blame them. 

What would my mom like?

She wasn't super flashy or over the top. Something simple and yet elegant.

"Excuse me," I called. "I'd like to buy this necklace."

The man who joined me at the counter seemed surprised at the item I was pointing to. "That's a ten-thousand-dollar necklace." Did he have to look at me like that? Like the girl who stood in front of him was more likely to grow horns than have ten thousand dollars?

"Really? Huh. Do you have one closer to twenty thousand?" I asked.

What was wrong with me? Maybe I had changed, I thought as the startled-looking man led me over to another section. I purchased the first one he suggested and shot out of there.

☘ 𝔏𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔬 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 ☘

Getting my dad alone that night wasn't hard. I told him I wanted to show him a special feature in my car. He was more than willing to look. When we sat side by side, him looking at all the buttons expectantly, I pulled out the box.

"I want you to give this to Mom."

"What is it?"

"It's a necklace."

"Okay."

"I want you to tell her it's from you. That you've been thinking about her and bought this for her."

"You don't have to do this, Suzy."

"I know, but I want you two to get along. I love both of you and hate to see you fight."

"It's just part of being married."

"It doesn't have to be. Not the way you guys do it. Just please." I pushed the box into his hands. "Think of a nice way to give it to her. You have to try, Dad."

"I do try." His voice became defensive like he was about to launch into a speech about how it wasn't his fault.

I put my hand on his arm to stop him. "I know. Just do this. For me."

He opened the box and looked at the offering. Then his eyes shot to me in surprise. "How much did this cost?"

"It doesn't matter. It's the thought that matters. That's what she'll appreciate."

He closed the box slowly. "Okay, Suzy. I'll give this to her. We'll see if it helps."

"Thank you."

"I take it you really don't have anything to show me about your car."

"No. I've not discovered any secret buttons that launch missiles or spit fire."

He gave me a half smile. "Too bad. That would've been amazing."

"Oh, wait. Have I shown you this button?" I pushed the button that lowered the screen in the dash, revealing the storage compartment. "Tell me that's not cool?"

"And yet you've hidden nothing impressive behind there."

"And now I've shown it to you, so I'll never be able to. I really didn't think that one through."

He laughed and let himself out of the car. I leaned my head back against the seat. I needed this to work. I climbed out of the car and stopped by the mailbox. There was nothing for me. If I got my final acceptance letters, I would feel so much better.