Chapter 43

They exchanged some Christmas gifts early because Violet wanted Lin to be able to wear her gift to the party.

Violet watched Lin open the black velvet box.

Lin’s eyes filled with tears when she saw the necklace and for an instant Violet wanted to grab it back. But the awestruck Chinese woman lifted the gift from the box and let it hang from her fingertip.

A polished black pearl dangled from a delicate gold chain.

Lin looked up and whispered, “The black pearl.”

“I know nothing can ever be as beautiful as you are and there’s no way to restore your cherished family, but I want you to know that you are loved and welcome here. And while I can’t replace what’s been taken from your life, I respect it—and I respect you. I hope you like it, Lin.”

“I have lost much. But I have also gained much.” She ran a loving fingertip over the pearl as her lips pulled up at the corners. “I had a home and family. But I still have that. You are family now. Thank you very much, my Violet.”

It was the longest speech the woman had given. Violet’s eyes were awash with unshed tears. She smiled through the emotion, put her hand out, and took the necklace. Lin held up her cascade of shining black curls and waited for the chain to be clasped around her neck.

Lin turned, put a hand to the pearl, and then wrapped her arms around Violet. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. Merry Christmas, Lin. It looks lovely with that blue dress.”

When the dress had been Violet’s it did not have pockets, but Lin’s talent as a seamstress had improved the garment. She had added pockets, and now she pulled a tightly folded bundle from one hidden in the side seam.

“Merry Christmas, Violet.”

The package was paper, tied with a thin red ribbon fashioned into a bow. She didn’t want to untie the gorgeous bow, but Lin urged her forward, waving her hands to the small square bundle and pantomiming pulling at the ends of the ribbons.

“But it’s too pretty to unwrap.”

“No, no—must unwrap. Pretty is inside, too.”

Violet tugged on the ribbon ends and watched the eight loops on the elaborate bow unfold one by one. When they untied, the ribbons hung out of a flat bundle of delicately folded paper. Lin urged her to unfold the packet.

The paper opened to create a three-dimensional landscape. There were trees, flowers, a long-billed goose, and a heart in the little scene. That Lin had cut and folded this artwork was astounding but the heart held an even greater surprise.

Nestled in the center of the cut-paper treasure, right in the middle of the heart, lay a black pearl. It was tiny but flawless, and the gold loop attached to it had been threaded onto the delicate red ribbon that had formed the bow.

Now she lifted the ends of the ribbon while Lin held the paper scene.

Putting the paper on the table beneath the potted Christmas tree, Lin asked, “You like?”

“Oh, Lin, I love it. It’s-it’s—” The tears she had been holding back spilled over and she could not speak.

In her quiet, noble way Lin took charge so Violet might regain her emotions. She took the necklace, motioned for Violet to turn around, and tied the ribbons together at the back of her neck. She adjusted the loops on the bow she created before moving to stand in front of Violet and declare, “It is perfect.”

Violet wrapped her arm around the other woman. Words were not adequate, so she hoped her feelings were conveyed with the sisterly embrace.

“Thank you, Lin. So very much.”

“You are welcome.”

Violet fingered the delicate pearl. It felt old, almost ancient.

“It is from China, isn’t it?”

“From grandmother. Who got it from her grandmother. And maybe another grandmother, I do not know. It passed through family. And now, it passes through family again.”