CLASS RING

"Wish I knew my exact location. My owner would be euphoric to hear from me. While I haven't lost my sparkle, my age and memory are starting to fade a teeny-weeny bit.

Oh! If only a ring could write a letter, my owner would be so happy to hear from me," sobbed Class Ring.

An elderly sage Rolex watch glowered and huffed, "Hey, Class Ring stop your blubbering and crying! I once belonged to someone else too! It's life. Get over it!"

"What happened to you? Were you stolen too?" Class Ring inquired.

Rolex replied, "Stolen, pawned, and sold several times. I've lost count."

"Wow! Stolen, pawned and sold so many times. That must have been scary and frightening. You have had more than your share of horrific and terrifying experiences. So very sorry to hear this, Rolex," whispered Class Ring.

Rolex exclaimed, "No worries! It has been so long that I can't even remember my original owner!"

"Unbelievable, that's so sad, Rolex. My owner had her initials, bjn, engraved on the inside of me. Fifty-nine years ago, she earned every penny of the thirty dollars by babysitting at fifty cents an hour and was super proud of me. Can you see my garnet stone? The garnet was her birthstone. She enjoyed showing me off. She was proud of her accomplishments. Yes! I still remember her," Class Ring wistfully sighed.

Rolex whined, "Gee, my owner didn't earn me nor did she care about me. I was her graduation present. A few months later, on her trip to San Francisco, she accidentally let me fall in her hotel room. Dropping on the floor, I was found but wasn't returned to my owner. At the hotel, someone entered the lost and found room to steal unclaimed items like rings, watches, and wallets. After being stolen, I was pawned. Then, was purchased and stolen again! It was an exasperating time."

"My memories take me back to a time long long ago. The trade winds whispered through the palm trees, the floral scents of ginger, pikake, and plumeria wafted through the rooms, and the beaches with warm grains of sand and the taste of fresh salty air were amazing and enchanting. Honestly, I loved Hawaii.

When my owner returned to Pennsylvania from Hawaii, I was misplaced and accidentally left behind. Somehow, I wound up in her sister's jewelry box. I am clueless as to what happened but was there for a decade.

However, my owner's mom found out who I belonged to. Once becoming aware, her mom wrapped and packed me for the long road trip to Texas. For over twenty-four hours straight, it was the longest road trip that I had ever endured. When we were reunited, my owner was thrilled, overjoyed, and cried happy tears. That was around 1979.

Amazingly, my recollection is crystal clear. As if, as if it were yesterday, I can still recall that evening. On the 4th of February 1997, from the apartment next door, ugly, angry sounds could be heard. After that, something broke the lock on the apartment door. There were banging noises that went on for approximately thirty minutes. The thieves were knocking things about. It was ghastly frightful, horrific, and unnerving. I couldn't see the men or boys who broke into her apartment. They picked up the musical jewelry box and poured the contents into a plastic bag discarding the jewelry box. It's hard to believe that was twenty-seven years ago," Class Ring proclaimed.

Rolex questioned, "Have you heard the incredible news stories about class rings being returned to their owners?

"Yes! From misplaced to stolen, the stories always pull at my heartstrings," cried Class Ring.

Rolex whimpered, "I don't know why the stories hit me so hard causing me to choke up too."