Inside lay a delicate silver ring set with one round turquoise stone.

“This was your grandmother Evelyn’s,” Claire said softly.

“She gave it to me when I finished high school.

I wanted to give it to you on your sixteenth birthday, but I had no address to send it to.”

She took the ring off the velvet lining and held it between her thumb and forefinger.

“May I put it on?” she asked.

I held out my right hand.