I took the velvet box from his hands and lifted the small brass latch.

The pale pearl caught the warm glow of the lantern, its silver setting gleaming without a trace of tarnish or dust.

I reached into my dress pocket and took out my father’s heavy silver pocket watch.

I pressed the little catch on the winding crown, and the front silver case opened with a soft click, showing the clean white dial and the quiet ticking movement inside.

I lifted the pearl brooch from its velvet bed and set it carefully into the hollow inside the watch lid.