7
Henry’s good friend, Howard, called me. “Mrs. Johnson, Henry knows he was wrong. I heard about your grandma’s incident, but he really didn’t know. He’s been drinking, and no one can stop him. Please come and talk to him.”
“Howard, if your relatives were killed by someone, what would
“I…”
“Stop calling me. I wish he were dead.”
you
do?”
Henry’s voice came from the other end, “Do you think I care about you? Wendy, don’t take yourself too seriously.”
I hung up the phone and laid in bed, suddenly remembering that he hadn’t yet returned the amulet tha my grandmother had given away. It was her most treasured possession.
I got up, dressed, and asked Howard for Henry’s whereabouts.
Henry was sitting in the bar, drunk, with Melissa pulling him.
His eyes flashed with a mix of emotions as he saw me. “Wendy, if you apologize to me now, I can still forgive you…”
I ignored him and looked at Melissa, who looked vaguely familiar. I quickly shook off the thought and said to Henry, “Give me back the amulet that Grandma gave you.”
Henry’s face contorted with anger. “Wendy, I know you came here to see me. Don’t use the amulet as an excuse.”
I repeated impatiently, “Give me back my grandma’s amulet.”
Henry gripped the wine glass so tightly that it shattered, sending shards into his flesh. Melissa screamed, urging him to let go. He shook her off, eyes fixed on me, seemingly searching for a sign of
concern.
I met his gaze with indifference. “The amulet. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
A flash of jealousy crossed Melissa’s face. Unable to maintain her delicate demeanor, she blurted out, “Henry, didn’t you give me that amulet to play with? But I accidentally lost it.”
My grandmother’s only relic, given to Melissa. Fury surged through me. I grabbed Melissa’s collar and slapped her hard. “You’d better find it by tomorrow, or you’ll face the consequences.”
”
Melissa seemed shocked by my reaction, immediately covering her face and looking at Henry with pitiful eyes.
Henry tried to restrain me, but I slapped him across the face too. “Are you sober now? If I don’t see the amulet tomorrow, your crappy company will be ruined.”
Turning to leave, I glanced back at a stunned Henry and added coldly, “I’m serious, Henry.”
As I walked away, I suddenly remembered where I had seen Melissa before and gave her a meaningful look. Her expression turned fearful, and she shrank behind Henry.
Behind me, I could hear Henry’s enraged shouting and the ensuing chaos, but I never looked back.
