The Diamond

Shelby stood at the counter, glancing around at the small number of patrons in the jewelry store. They were completely oblivious of her, but she felt like she stood out like a fish out of water. This was not a store she frequented nor did she own any similar items such as the ones displayed in the shining, crystal clear cases. Except for the ring, of course. That enormous, beautiful diamond ring she had shown the jeweler was all hers.

As she waited, she nervously tugged at a strand of hair, repeatedly twirling it around her index finger and then releasing it so that the curl sprang back to life. As she turned around, she caught sight of her reflection in a long mirror. Yes, she definitely stood out in this store, which mostly catered to the affluent and upper crust society in Charleston. Her bohemian style clothing was anything but preppy or professional in appearance – she did not look like an attorney or a physician or anyone else who might frequent this place. Her wild blonde curls fell in disarray all about her shoulders as if screaming in rebellion at the world, refusing to be tamed, much like herself.

The jeweler who had taken her diamond ring to the back for appraisal was short and pudgy, with cheeks the color of strawberries. He wore glasses on his protruding nose and had approached her with every semblance of politeness as she’d entered the store nearly an hour ago. After some discussion, he had taken the ring and been in the back for more than thirty minutes. She was quite sure that when he’d realized she was seeking to sell such a ring as the one in her possession, he had quickly gone to the back to insure it was not stolen. No, she did not look at all like someone who would own such a large, expensive ring, but she did, and she was all too anxious to rid herself of it today if at all possible.

The jeweler came back and peered at her over his glasses, which repeatedly slid down the length of his nose despite his best attempts to the contrary. “Miss Bentley…,” he began.

“Yes?” she asked hopefully.

“Everything checks out. Are you sure you want to sell this ring? It’s quite lovely, and worth….,” he hesitated, not finishing his sentence as he stared at her.

Shelby eyed him expectantly. Dare she hope that he might use the words ‘a lot’? “Yes, it’s worth what?” she prompted.

“Well, it’s worth quite a bit of money, Miss Bentley. I can give you $20,000 for it today, but if you choose to sell it privately, you would probably get more.”

Shelby nearly fainted. “Twenty thousand…dollars?” she asked, unable to mask the surprise in her voice.

“Yes, Miss Bentley, $20,000. It’s a nearly flawless diamond and set in platinum. I have to ask you again if you really want to sell it?”

Shelby glanced down at the ring that lay on the black velvet board on the glass case. It was a beautiful diamond, but it represented everything she needed to forget right now so that she could move on, and hopefully, do some good, too. “Yes,” she said with conviction. “I am positive I want to sell it. And if you’re willing to pay me $20,000, I’m prepared to accept your offer today.”

The jeweler shook his head slightly, obviously a bit perplexed, but then nodded and turned to prepare the paperwork, removing a little black notebook from the desk behind him. Asking for her identification, he meticulously recorded all the details in regard to the sale of the ring before he completed the transaction, handing her several packets of banded cash. He assured her that he could show her something lovely to replace what she was selling, but Shelby shook her head and politely declined. She had no need for such frivolous items as these pieces of jewelry, even though they were beautiful. She had every intention, instead, of putting the $20,000 to better use.

Nearly twenty minutes later, the necessary papers were signed, and she was $20,000 wealthier – at least temporarily. She left the diamond behind as she headed out the door and to a nearby bank. She felt ridiculously and unnaturally light. It was psychosomatic – it had to be. Her body was relieved of something that reminded her of what would never be, causing her sorrow, and so now, as a result, she felt freer than the summer breeze that whipped through the trees lining the old cobblestone street. And if she didn’t know better, she’d think she was more light-footed than she’d ever been at any other time. She was positive she was doing the right thing.

At the bank, Shelby was able to secure a Cashier’s Check for $20,000 in a very short amount of time. “Cash speaks volumes,” she thought to herself as she carefully tucked the check in her purse and headed outside. The sunshine on her face felt incredible as she exited the bank, and she was more excited – indeed she was happier - than she had been in six very long and painful months.

She strolled down the street and stopped at her favorite coffee shop where she chose a table outside because of the lovely spring weather. A short while later, she was sipping a frothy Cappuccino and contemplating the large check in her purse, as well as the events that had led her to this point in her life. She could not wait to give the check to Brandon. He would be both surprised and excited. It was something she had been contemplating ever since Garrett’s death, and she was sure it was the right thing to do.

Shelby knew she could have easily held onto the beautiful ring her former fiancé, Garrett, had given her, remembering their love and the significance the diamond represented, but in her heart, she knew that this was something he would want. After all, she did not need a ring to remember the depth of the love that she and Garrett shared. And in doing this thing she planned to do, she would make an impact in an area in which Garrett had devoted himself ever since graduating from medical school seven years ago. In the beginning, he chose to support Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders, with purely financial donations, but eventually, he had felt the pull to do more and signed up to work for the group over a year ago, shortly after proposing to her.

He had assured her that he planned to work for the non-profit agency for two years, after which time, they would have a beautiful wedding and begin their life anew. She always suspected that he would renew his contract for much longer than two years when the time came around, but she had not broached that subject, deciding that she might end up assisting him wherever he might be serving so that they could both contribute while being together. Since she was a clinical psychologist, she had been doing research about the possibility of joining him, but nothing had been finalized, and then the unexpected news of Garrett had come.

He had been assigned to the Republic of Congo in central-western Africa and had traveled for days to get to Kisangani. In his brief communications with her, he had reassured her that he was safe and well, and that he was making a substantial difference in the lives of many by being there. For months, all had been relatively quiet, but then fighting had broken out, and many civilians and MSF Staff had been caught in the crossfire. News had come to her in the form of Brandon, the MSF coordinator from the office at the Medical University in Charleston.

She still remembered the slight knock upon her door that late October afternoon. She had been delighted to see Brandon on her doorstep initially, but upon closer inspection, she had immediately realized that something was very wrong. Entering her small apartment, Brandon had given her the news that they suspected Garrett had been killed in the fighting that had ensued where he was living. Several days later, confirmation of his death had come and nothing had remained the same for Shelby since that moment. Life as she knew it had been suspended, and it had taken at least two months for her to draw herself from the depths of deep depression and seek life beyond the four walls of her apartment. That was four months ago, but today she had a new purpose.

Finishing her cappuccino, Shelby rose and quickly headed to Brandon’s office. He was seated at a very messy desk when she entered the room, submerged in paperwork and notes beyond her comprehension. He had six computer screens full of information he was reviewing from which he looked up to greet her. Quickly, he stood and rounded the corner of his desk, with arms outstretched.

“Shelby! How wonderful to see you! How are you?” he asked, hugging her slender frame.

Shelby smiled, and Brandon was amazed by the peace he saw in her expression. Where once had lingered the haunting telltale signs of loss and grief, there was now only a smile and a contentment that had not surfaced from her eyes in many months.

Shelby reached into her purse and pulled out the check. “Brandon, in remembrance of Garrett and to honor his dream and all that this organization does, I want you to have this,” she said, immense joy infusing her as she handed him the check.

Brandon looked down as he reached for the piece of paper she held. His eyes grew wide and he lost sight of all but the $20,000 before him for a moment.

“Shelby! What in the world?! This is wonderful!” he said. “How ever did you raise such an exorbitant amount?”

Shelby held up her now bare left hand and Brandon’s eyes widened even more. “You sold your beautiful ring?” he questioned, sheer astonishment in his voice.

“Yes, I did!” Shelby said emphatically. “Much good will come from me selling the ring, and I know it’s what Garrett would have wanted. It helps to honor his memory so much more than by me continuing to simply wear it.”

Brandon was in awe of her actions. “Shelby, this is unbelievable and will make a tremendous difference to so many in need. Thank you so much.” Brandon was clearly moved by the generous gift, realizing full well what strength it had taken for Shelby to sell the treasured ring.

“There’s more,” Shelby said quietly. ‘But I need your help.”

Brandon’s brow rose a bit, “Yes?” he asked. “What can I do? Just let me know.”

“I want to help,” she smiled, confident in the decision she had made. “I want to make a difference, too. Garrett believed in what you do – he believed in helping those less fortunate, and I, well I believed in Garrett. My life without him will have meaning if I do this, and I will not miss him quite so much, knowing that I am honoring him in addition to living his dream.”

Brandon smiled. “And that, Shelby, is the larger of the two gifts you give. Please, my dear, have a seat. We will get you signed up right away.” He started to walk back to his desk, but stopped suddenly and turned back to her. “Garrett would be so very proud. It’s no wonder he loved you as he did.”

Those words were enough for Shelby. She knew beyond a doubt that by selling the ring and donating the money, in addition to signing up to continue Garrett’s dream, she was honoring him in the most profound, important way imaginable. And after six long, painful months, the world had finally turned right again.