Clara sat at a sunny table outside her favorite city cafe.
The bright daylight made the white marble table shimmer.
She was taking a short break after finishing her morning errands.
A young girl walked over holding a heavy woven fruit basket.
Young Girl: Would you like some fresh fruit, ma'am?
Clara: Yes, I'd love some, sweetheart.
Clara smiled softly as she reached out toward the fresh peaches.
Her hand moved and her gold pendant brushed against the table.
The necklace was shaped like a rose with a red gem.
The little girl stopped and stared directly at the pendant.
Young Girl: Ma'am, my mom has a necklace that looks exactly like yours.
Clara: That can't be, sweetheart.
Clara: This necklace has been in my family for generations.
Clara touched the gold rose gently with her fingers.
Young Girl: My mom's has writing on the back too.
Young Girl: It says Rosana on it.
Clara froze instantly and felt her chest tighten with sudden shock.
Clara: What is your mother's name?
Young Girl: Her name is Alina Caruso.
Clara gasped aloud and tears filled her wide eyes.
Clara: Alina?
Young Girl: Do you know her?
Young Girl: Mom says her necklace used to belong to her sister.
Clara: Where is your mother right now?
Young Girl: She works down near the main train station.
Clara placed her shaking hand directly over her racing heart.
Clara: She's alive!
The little girl looked confused as Clara pulled out her wallet.
Clara paid for the fruit and grabbed her purse quickly.
She needed to find the train station before it was too late.
Fifteen years of grief were suddenly crashing down around her.
She took the young girl's small hand in her own.
Clara: Please take me to your mother right now.
They left the cafe and rushed down the busy sidewalk together.