Eleanor held the old golden pocket watch with both of her shaking white hands.
The metal felt smooth and warm from being held tightly in the boy's fist.
She noticed the deep floral pattern carved into the front cover of the gold casing.
It was a custom design that she had not seen in over ten long years.
Her thumb pressed down on the tiny top button until a metallic click rang out.
The front cover popped open to reveal a clear round black-and-white portrait photo inside.
The image showed a much younger Eleanor holding a tiny sleeping newborn wrapped in lace.
She was smiling brightly at the camera with pure joy glowing on her face.
A single hot tear slid down Eleanor's pale cheek and dropped onto the glass.
Eleanor: Where did you get this?
Boy: My mommy.
Eleanor: What did you just say to me right now?
Boy: She gave it to me before she had to go away.
Arthur marched over to where his wife knelt on the floor beside the child.
He grabbed Eleanor gently by her silk shoulder to pull her back up immediately.
Arthur: Eleanor, get up off the floor and stop causing a huge scene.
Eleanor: Look at this watch right now, Arthur!
Arthur glanced down at the open locket in her hands with a cold look.
His face lost all of its natural color in less than two short seconds.
His hand slipped away from Eleanor's shoulder as his fingers began to tremble visibly.
The guests around the table leaned forward to see what was happening near them.
Arthur: That photo is impossible... we lost her ten whole years ago.
Eleanor: She is not gone, Arthur, she is alive somewhere right now.
Boy: Mommy said to give it to the lady who looks like the picture.
Eleanor: Where is your mommy right now, sweet little boy?
Boy: She is sleeping in the little white car down by the bridge.
Eleanor stood up so fast that her heavy metallic dress rustled loudly around her.
She looked straight into her husband's pale face with sudden sharp suspicion and fear.
She remembered the terrible stormy night ten years ago when her baby disappeared completely.
Arthur had told everyone that the newborn child had passed away at the hospital.
He had kept the sad medical papers in his locked iron safe forever since.