Page 40 of Out of Sight

Diamonds. She was crying diamonds. She picked them up.

She looked around and said, “Cousin Theo, can you take a look at this?”

The shy brunette walked over and pulled out his loupe. He took the three objects and looked at them. He grinned. “Your money issues will be over if you watch the Joy Luck Club again. I have about thirty thousand dollars in my hand.”

“Can you make it go from sparkly to green?”

“Yes, I can file them as manmade, and that will halve their value, but if you can make more, you should be able to buy a house after a few long-distance commercials.”

She looked at him with narrowed eyes. “I am big enough to take you over my knee if you keep up with the jokes.”

“If you weren’t my cousin, I would invite it.” He winked. “Now, when I get the funds, where do you want them deposited?”

“Ah. I have to figure out how to become a person again. I have just been a crackling bit of static for a few years. Dad, do you and Mom still have my birth certificate?”

He paused. “I don’t know.”

“Oh, shit. You tossed it. Right, well, Regis knows folks at the book club. They should be able to set up a new identity for me. Oh, wait.” She looked distant and then smiled. “There. I am legal again. I forgot I could do that.”

Yorwell smiled.

“I set up a bank account. Here it is.” She sent it to Cousin Theo.

He checked his phone. “How did you do that?”

“I have been living online for a while. When I have a new address, I will order my license and a new passport.”

Ted got to her feet. “Lucia, why don’t you go and get some rest? Integrate into that marble, find out if Yorwell has a hot tub.”

Lucia smiled. “Ah, homework. You are still bossy.”

“You still look younger than I am and are eight years older.”

“Yes, well. I exfoliate.” Lucia smiled.

Ted took the reference to removing skin, and she chuckled. “You are witty.”

“I know; it is why I have a limited friend group.”

Ted hugged her. “Go, get rest, meditate, look for a therapist. Maybe Mik has openings. She gave me her card. I will take a photo of it and send it to you.”

“That sounds good. She looked all official and stuff.” Lucia’s expression got distant. “Cool. I have an intake appointment at two.”

Ted laughed and grinned. She pressed her hands to Lucia’s cheeks. “There’s my big, brave girl.”

Lucia snorted. “Thanks, cuz. I am going to haunt your phone.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time. I will talk to you tomorrow. Get some rest.”

“You, too. You have only been memorable for a few hours. Well, to them. I always knew you, and I always will. If you need to be remembered, come to me.”

Ted looked at her, and her lower lip wobbled. She hugged Lucia again, and her cousin chuckled. “Why is everybody cuddling me today?”

Ted chuckled. “Because you are feeling vulnerable, and we can. You are letting people in today, so I am taking full advantage.”

Lucia smiled and smoothed her braids. “I am touching your hair.”

“You get to do that today, too.” Ted chuckled. “Just today.”