My Necklace! My Power!

Inside a small gray box with a tiny red ribbon laid a stunning 24k gold heart-shaped locket with a diamond in the center. You're probably like, "OMG," sounds expensive, right! Who would have gotten you something so fancy? Had you asked me, my response would've been, "if I told you, I'd have to kill you"! No, I'm just kidding. I wouldn't hurt a fly. In other words, if you were there, you would've known, but you weren't. So I'll tell you. My grandma is the beautiful soul that gave me the stunning piece of art. I added it to a necklace. When I opened the box, I almost burst into tears! Lol, I said almost, but I didn't. I was very shocked that "My Grandma" had gifted me such luxury! Knowing my grandma doesn't believe in paying an arm and a leg for nothing. She is a well-known thrift shopper. My grandma is that lady in the store that catches all the sales and stacks all the coupons! I have witnessed her entire bill of thrifty finds total to only $8.00. Nowadays you can't even buy a t-shirt for $8.00, less known a bar stool, a small corner shelf, some tennis shoes and a ring all for $8.00, tell me how! I swear I think the lady is addicted to thrifting. I can't blame her. I would be too catching deals like that. My grandma is also the one who will notice an issue with the already used item and inform the clerk to call the manager and negotiate the price. When I say she is good, She is Good! I opened the box and seen the locket. I couldn't imagine what she, the clerk, and the manager all had to experience for her to commit to buying such a beautiful piece. I am curious because this was the best birthday gift ever, especially coming from my sweet granny!

I was wined and dined at one of the most high-class restaurants by my closest family and friends for my birthday. As everyone gathered around the dinner table to sing happy birthday to me. I stood at the head of the table, ready for more excitement. You know that awkward feeling when everyone is looking at you while singing to you and you're trying to hold your smile that almost looks fake because you're smiling so hard your cheeks hurt? Yeah, that was me! When it was time for me to blow out my candles. It was time for me to close my eyes and make a wish. Believe it or not, I wished to be gifted a set of keys to a brand new G-wagon parked outside with a red ribbon on it, like we used to see on My sweet 16 on MTV, for all the celebrity kids. Yeah, that's what I was hoping was in that gray box with the red ribbon. They say significant gifts come in small packages. After I opened the box, I was so happy to notice it was a beautiful locket. As we all in sync, awed at the beauty, I took a glance around the room.

My grandma walked over and said, "Here, let me help you open it." Inside was a picture of me and her posing by a flower bush in her backyard, wearing my flower overalls with the matching hat. Lol yeah, that's back in the day for you. At this point, I'm crying real tears of joy now! Such a thoughtful and meaningful gift! My granny loves and adores me so much the next day. She surprised me at work to have lunch with me. I thought to myself, look at my granny showing out again! She brought me my favorite meal, shrimp and grits. We began walking towards the break room. We took a seat on the sofa and pulled the coffee table a little closer. I believe management putting this sofa in here was the most incredible idea. We all need a nap sometimes. What better place to put a couch than in the break room. If you found anyone sleeping on the sofa, that implied the brain needed a break. As we are chatting and eating, my grandmother places her hand on my shoulder. I glance over at her. What is it, granny? She said, baby, cherish your necklace; that's not an ordinary necklace.

I then learned that my 24k gold heart-shaped locket wasn't so ordinary after all. Built inside was a high-tech two-way communication system with a third eye detector. Not only that, I was informed my communicator needs my DNA to be activated. Isn't that neat! When she told me the abilities I had across my neck, I knew I had been a superhero all along. My necklace certainly proved it. Must I say again, this is the best birthday ever! It wasn't the G-Wagon I was hoping for, but it was far more unique and powerful than I thought. I took a peek at my phone to catch the time. It had been 15 minutes past the time I was supposed to clock back in! OMG! I didn't tell my granny. Instead, I just politely told her that I enjoyed her surprise lunch date and that I was going to get ready to head back to my desk. I walked her to her car and promised we would finish our conversation later once I was off the clock. I hugged her and headed back to my desk, looking as if I was excited to get back to work. Trying to overcome the guilt of losing track of time. As I walk at a fast pace to my desk, I mumbled quietly, "It's not like my boss would notice anyway." It is so true that time flies when you're having a good time.

One thing that helps the time go faster for me is working out. My boss is a huge health freak, so she bribed us into considering our health by mentioning we can get paid to work out for an hour if we commit to exercising at least three days out of the week. I took her up on that offer for sure! I've embedded it into my schedule to work out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Fridays are my favorite because I end my workday by finishing my last hour in our workplace gym. I can't speak for others, but it certainly works for me. Apart from my routine, as I am preparing to go downstairs and apply pressure. I take off all my jewelry and place it on the right side of my desk so nothing gets snagged, sweaty, or broke. One day I came back upstairs from working out, and I noticed my necklace was gone. I had to think to myself did I wear it today? I was sure I did, I thought to myself, scratching my head as I look around. It's Friday. Everyone has left the building and begun their weekend already. Other than the janitors who don't have a choice. This discovery is strange, I say to myself, trying to make sense of this situation. I pack up my belongings and head to my car.

I return to work on Monday and begin my routine. I walk to the break room to fill up my cup with my first cup of coffee, and my boss walks in. Oh hey, Jayde, you're here early! I respond without turning my back, "Yeah, it's Monday. The early birds get the worms," Miss Lashiela replied. "That is very true," and she immediately walked out of the room. I thought nothing of it until I saw her speaking with a colleague of mine. I couldn't help but notice the new accessory that she was wearing. I thought it looked nice. That Monday's brain didn't tell me, "Hey! The necklace looks familiar! I focus my eyes back on my task. The next day Tuesday, I walked into the break room to get my first cup of coffee to begin the day. This time, my boss is here first. She and I are now in closer proximity. I noticed the details of her necklace. It was a gold heart-shaped necklace just like the one my grandma gifted me for my birthday! That's strange! I thought I was the only one with such a powerful piece of art. I kept my thoughts to myself, got my coffee, and headed back to my desk. OMG! It's Wednesday! My alarm didn't go off! I throw on the quickest outfit in my closet. I'm late! I'm so late! I'm nervous about what my boss is gone say when I arrive, late! Flying through traffic, trying to get there as fast as I can. I arrive, throw my car in park and run to the doorway. Whew, I MADE IT! Upon entering the building, Mrs. Williams, our secretary, greets me. She joyfully said Good Morning, Miss Jayde, as she always does. I replied, "Good Morning, Mrs. Williams." She made me feel like I wasn't running 30 minutes late to work. I straighten up my walk and head down the hall towards my desk. Everything looks normal, I thought. I'm just going to ease in and get straight to work. I throw everything in my bottom right drawer, as it is the only drawer largest to throw my belongings in. I start plugging away at my duties. Oh my, here comes the boss. Here I am typing away, trying not to look up and accidentally make eye contact. "Jayde," I hear coming from the corner office. I need you in my office. I look up "coming," I say. I stand up, my pits began to sweat. I'm thinking to myself, girl, you're about to get fired. I reach her office and close the door behind me. She directs me to have a seat. I follow. As she is speaking to me, I can't help but take another glance at her necklace. I politely irrupt, Miss Lashiela. I must compliment your necklace. Where did you get such a beauty? She stops talking in the middle of her sentence and clears her throat. Isn't it stunning my husband got it for me! I admire its beauty while thinking that necklace looks identical to the one my granny gave me. She excuses me from her office. No, I didn't get in trouble; she didn't even notice I arrived late. Or did she? I'm not sure. A lot of stuff isn't adding up to me. I leave her office and stop at the break room to get my first cup of coffee before heading back to my desk. Though I'm halfway through my workday, working here, every sip counts. It is one of those days. I began walking back to my desk. On the way, I stopped at my coworker Danny's desk near mine. I ask, have you noticed anyone snooping around my desk? His reply, "Not to my knowledge. I haven't seen anyone at your desk other than you", as he finishes with a chuckle. I thought to myself, nothing is funny. I know someone other than me was at my desk. My necklace didn't just come up missing and magically end up on Miss Lashiela's neck. I politely responded with a sarcastic smile and told him to keep his eyes open for me. I catch Danny's eyebrows raise. He's probably wondering what's going on. I walk back to my desk. Now I know what I have to do. Investigate this situation on my own. I pull out my crystals from my purse. I am going to find out who stole my necklace. Thursday has passed, and now it's Friday again. It's been a whole week since I've been without my 24k heart-shaped locket. I want to cry.