Madge and I headed to an antique restoration shop to pick up the Heirloom Locket that had been there for repairs the past two weeks.
"My sweet girl, you'll be heading overseas for school soon. Keep this gold locket with you at all times. Your grandmother left it for you. It'll keep you safe."
I carefully helped Madge put on the Heirloom Locket, but before I could fasten the clasp, a figure came rushing out of nowhere and snatched the gold locket right out of my hands.
"Something this nice—why should she get it?"
I stood frozen, staring blankly at the woman across from me, dressed to the nines. Four months pregnant, and Meryl was still teetering on four-inch stilettos.
"What are you doing here? Give that back!" Madge snapped, unable to contain her fury. She lunged forward to grab the locket back.
But James, who had strolled in behind Meryl without a care in the world, seized Madge by the wrist and yanked her aside.
"My dear little sister, have you no shame at all? You're about to become an aunt, and here you are fighting your own nephew for a trinket. Honestly, I'm embarrassed for you."
Meryl clutched the gold locket tight, her face twisted into a smug, insufferable grin.