Chapter 71
The old longing to dine at The Seventhread Eatery with the man she loved, watching the fireworks hand in hand–had faded into nothing. Now, to Jessica, The Silverthread Eatery was just another upscale restaurant, nothing more
She would face mality head–on and erase Timothy from her life completely.
She went straight from the train station to The Silverthread Eatery. As she reached the entrance, her phone buzzed with a message from Herbert
*Little Mute, I’m waiting for you on the rooftop.“%
Jessica took the elevator upstairs. As soon as she stepped into the lounge, she spotted Herbert waving her over
She crossed the room and slid into the seat across from him.
Little Mute, what do you feel like eating? I have no idea if your tastes have changed since we were kids. Why don’t you order?”
Herbert handed her the menu.
Jessica pushed it back to him, gracefully signing, “I’m treating you tonight. Order whatever you like,”
Herbert smiled, nudging the menu back, “Does it really matter who orders? You know I’ll eat anything”
But Herbert wasn’t the same boy he used to be no longer the scrappy kid with a questionable father and a reputation for getting into fights. Maybe the rough edges from his past still lingered, but he’d grown into a refined gentleman, carrying himself with a quiet confidence and poise
Jessica, never fond of drawn–out back–and–forths, especially given her limitations with speech, finally relented and placed their order. Seven years married to Timothy had taught her all the etiquette expected of a society wife how to order at places like this, how to carry herself with grace. Not that it ever mattered: Timothy never once took her to an event that called for such skills.
While they waited for the food, Jessica pulled a diamond necklace from her purse, guilt flickering across her face. Carefully, she signed, “I’m sorry broke the hidden speaker inside. For someone like me, who can’t speak, it was useful. For anyone else, it’s just an ordinary necklace.
She passed the necklace to Herbert
He took it at once. Don’t worry. I’ll send it off for repairs.
. I accidentally
Jessica quickly shook her head and signed again, “Herbert, be honest with me. I know real diamonds when I see them. I can’t accept such an expensive gift from
Jou
Herbert’s fingers tightened around the necklace. He looked at her, his voice dropping. “You’re afraid Timothy will find out?
She shook her head again, firmly
Then why not accept it? We’re friends, neighbors, classmates–we haven’t seen each other in years. It’s just a gift. Why can’t you take it?”
He drew a shaky breath, forcing his emotions back down. When he spoke again, his tone was softer. Take it as an apology for all the times I picked on you when we were kids.7
All these years, he’d thrown himself into medical research, chasing a cure for aphasia. The necklace was meant to help her bridge the silence just a little longer. The ruth was, he was close–so close to finding a solution, but he wouldn’t breathe a word until he was certain it would work. He couldn’t bear to give her hope, only to have it snatched away!!
Jessies pressed her lips together, still searching for the right response
Suddenly, the booming crack of fireworks out through the air–one after another, echoing off the rooftop. Bursts of color exploded in the night sky gold, violet, emerald, and dazzling nbbons of light. For a few seconds, it was as if a waterfall of color swept down from the heavens, transforming the city into a dreamscape.!
essica barely had time to take it all in before, out of nowhere, someone splashed a glassful of wine across her face.”
