The Ruby Ring--A Story by Surenna P

Dear Dad,

I hope your business trip in Europe is going well. I wish that you would hurry up and come home because things aren’t going too well here in stupid New Jersey. I mean, why did we have to move here anyway? Oh never mind! School is bad, Mom has been stressed, and well I want to go back to Michigan!! I shouldn’t make you worried with so much other stuff on your mind. See you soon!! (I hope!)
Love, Kami

Hi Dad!

I forgot to tell you in the last note that before I had left Lansing Middle School for the last time, my teacher Ms. Millard told me that a good way to get settled in is to keep a letter journal so that I can write my feeling of everything that has happened to me. So when I finish the journal, I can send it to you and you can read it all at once. I found a phone call from you on the answering machine. WHY ARE YOU STAYING LATER!!!!!!!!! This ruins everything! I guess I won’t be seeing you soon then.
Yours Truly, Kami

Dad,

Today Mom got all stressed out AGAIN!!! I got kinda nervous so I left the house and walked to the beach. At this time of cold year nobody is there so I like having the whole thing to myself. When I got there I sat in the sand and buried my hands while watching the waves rolling in and out over and over again. I couldn’t resist so I through my sneakers off and dashed towards the crashing waves. Walking along the edge, I felt the icy water touch my toes. I kept my head bent down so that I could find some pretty seashells. But then something shiny and red caught my eye. I bent and scooped it up before the next wave could have a chance to wash it away. It was a gold ring with a beautiful ruby in it. I got to go!!
Love, Kami

Dear Dad,

So when I found it I immediately put it in my pocket and ran to Harold’s Coins and Jewels. I swung open the door and rushed over to the counter.
“Can I help you young lady?” the clerk asked.

“Are you Harold?” I asked back.

“Yes and do you need anything?” Harold asked.

“Can I trust you with what I need help with?” I wanted to know.

Clearly annoyed he replied,” Yes. Are you here for a reason or do you just want to mess with me?” I sighed and showed him the ring that I found.
“Mighty fine piece you got there!! Worth ‘bout $3,000,000.” He grabbed it out of my hand and studied it mumbling something to himself. Then he started to walk away with it.

“Hey!” I shouted. I ran behind the counter and snatched it away from him. “I believe that it’s MINE fair and square!” I told him matter-of-factly.

He rolled his eyes and said something about lousy kids. I glared at him as I
left. Yours always, Kami.

Dad,

When I got home I set to work in the bathroom cleaning and polishing my new ruby ring. Then I rummaged through my closet and found a tiny box. I gently put it in a soft cloth and then carefully set the ring inside its new ring box. After that I went to the bathroom to take a shower. But guess what? When I came back to my room the ring box was not on my bedside stand like I had left it. It was nowhere in sight. Franticly I practically through apart my room to find it. I check under my bed, in the closet, in my dresser drawers, and all over the floor. I hurried downstairs yelling,” Mom, Mom, Mom!”

“What is it honey?” she asked wearily. I told her about the ring and she went wide-eyed. “Kami this ring that you have told me all about is a genuine treasure that could be worth a lot of money. Please try your best to find it. I’m sure you put it somewhere and then forgot about it” Mom told me.

Suddenly it hit me. I knew exactly where the ring was. “Mom I’m going out!” I called to her.

“Kami you have been in and out all day. What are you doing?” she asked suspiciously.

I sighed and said,” Mom it’s really nothing. I’m just kinda busy. That’s all.”

“Okay then. Just stay out of trouble. Do what you need to do” Mom grumbled.

So I shrugged and ran out, slamming the door behind me. I hopped onto my bike and pedaled as fast as I could to Harold’s Coins and Jewels. Once I was there, I stomped in and slapped the counter. Harold just looked at me blankly as if he did nothing wrong and was a regular angel.

“Harold, what did you do to my ring? I want it now.” I barked. Instead of answering, he busied himself by concentrating on something inside of the glass counter. “WHERE IS IT?” I screamed loud enough for practically everyone in the universe to hear. This got his attention.

“Quiet little girl. I don’t know what you are talking about. Heck, how could I steal it if I don’t even know where you live? So there you go. Now out of my shop with ya” Harold answered.

I groaned but did as I was told. Can you believe this guy? I know, he’s horrible. So, I thought, I guess I better take this into adult hands. I sat on the nearest bench and called the police. I said,” Hello, this is Kami Wellen and I am reporting a robbery. Just today a man who claims to be Harold from Harold’s Coins and Jewels stole my ruby ring. I am thinking on him because he tried to take it from me in the store. Can you send help as soon as possible? Oh my phone number is 978- 009-7634. Yes, I live at 14 Bayside Lane. New Jersey. Okay. Thank you so much”. I hung up the phone and started home. Once there, a policeman called and asked me a few questions and also told me that I should meet him at Harold’s in a couple minutes. Well, it’s getting pretty late here so I’d better go. Love, Kami




Dear Dad,

I got down there pretty easily since Mom was upstairs taking a shower. Or so I think. It doesn’t matter anyway because the good news is that I actually got there. Back on topic; as I got there a policeman came running up to me and asked if I am Kami. I said yes and followed him to the shop. He told me that he is going to question Harold and that I should just back him up. The Police asked these questions:
-What is your name?
-Where do you live?
-Have you ever been to jail?
(This is where Harold started fidgeting).

These were his answers:
-“Harold”.
-“New Jersey”.
-“No, why would you think that?”

Then the police asked if he had stolen a ruby ring from 14 Bayside Lane. Harold got a funny look on his face like he was deciding on weather to tell the truth or lie. I guess he decided to lie.

“No of course not. Why do you think that I did such a horrible thing?” he said. Mr. Police stared at him for a long time then reached out and pulled off a wig. He ripped a fake mustache off too. Caught by surprise and shock I almost fainted but remembered the last time that happened. Do you remember? I happened to have been standing on a mound of rocks! Well I didn’t do that because I didn’t want another lump on the side of my head.

“Aha! Jerry Motow! I knew it was you! Now tell me again, did you steal the ring?” Mr. Police asked.

Jerry held up his hands. “Yes! Yes I did. It’s in the back room if you want it. I admit I was going to sell it. I have been posing as Harold to get at a chance like this one. PLEASE DON’T TAKE ME TO JAIL!!”

“Oh you will be doing a fair amount of time! Kami you may go and get your ruby ring. I’d better get going. Mr. Mottow, put your hands behind your back!” the police said.

I thanked him and went to retrieve my ring. But as I was leaving the shop my mother came rushing up to me. She asked me a LOT of questions and I was getting pretty board. But I guess it turned out okay!
Yours Truly, Kami!


Hi Dad!

My ring is now safe and sound in its little ring box and that’s where it will stay. I certainly don’t want it to be stolen again. I got the message from you saying that you will be back in a week! I’m sooo glad!!!! Today I went for a walk on the beach. I walked up where the water couldn’t even reach. Then I saw an emerald necklace half buried in the sand.