Two Steel Rings and a Heart of Gold

"There isn't enough money left." said Mrs. Stevens in hushed tones inside the kitchen.

"I know. The company isn't paying any salary this month either." whispered Mr. Stevens. He wasn't the only one facing this in the midst of a pandemic.

"If we miss the next payment, we'll lose the house." said Mrs. Stevens as she broke into tears.

"We don't have enough food either." said Mr. Stevens. "That was the last of our bread."

"I'm sorry." said Sara to herself as she put back the second piece of bread back in the empty basket. She tried not to overhear the conversation in the kitchen, but years of foster care had given her many unwanted skills, such as stealth in shoplifting and eavesdropping.

"What should we do?" asked Mr. Stevens sounding utterly defeated. "We'll be homeless."

Only about a year ago, Sara used to scavenge the streets for food. Her previous foster family often forgot she existed other than to do chores. She ate out of dustbins when hunger pushed her to it. Sometimes she would nick a few snacks from the store. She didn't have that much of a conscience, but she felt stolen food never filled her stomach.

She could do it again, however. She could go to the grocery store and steal something for dinner. Maybe get some of the expensive cheese and meat.

"But at least we are together." said Mrs. Stevens, her voice breaking as she hugged her husband. "Thank goodness, Sara is with us and not all alone in this terrible time."

And suddenly, Sara couldn't anymore.

She went back to her room and shut the door, thoughts racing. She needed money for her family. She was thirteen years old. There had to be something she could do to help.

She rummaged through her scarce belongings until she finally found it. Her biological mother's wedding ring. It was gold plated and studded with a small gemstone. Her father had died in the war and mother had died while giving birth to her. Sara rested in the knowledge that she was born out of love and greatly cherished her only proof.

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens had saved her life. Sara was deeply malnourished and sick when she was rescued. She hadn't had the will to live anymore. But her new family wasn't like the rest.

They gave her a small room, hot home-made meals, they talked to her every single day, and they cared, cared ever so deeply about her that she cried.

Mrs. Steven's soft round face made her feel so happy and seeing Mr. Stevens come home from work with a smile, made her feel emotions Sara deemed were worth much, much more than the ring in her hands.

Clutching it close to her chest, she ran back to the kitchen, heart thumping as she spotted her adoptive parents sipping tea.

"Hello Sara." said Mr. Stevens with a smile. His mustache rested easily over his kind face. "I see you didn't complete your meal. Take a seat and finish up."

Mrs. Stevens poured a fresh cup of tea and handed the bread basket to Sara, a genuine smile on her face.

"We-can-sell-this." said Sara in a rush, as she produced the ring and laid it on the tiny table. "The lady at the orphanage said we could get 3000$ for it."

"Oh Sara!" said Mrs. Stevens as she hugged her daughter tight. "We can't sell that."

Sara said reluctantly, "Why not? It's mine and I want to sell it."

Mrs. Stevens looked back at her husband wearily. She wore a thin steel band on her finger like her husband. They'd sold off their own rings months ago.

"Are you sure Sara?" asked Mr. Stevens furrowing his eyes.

"Yes. Please, sell it as soon as you can." said Sara as she split the bread into three parts and handed one to each parent before biting into her own piece.

***

Perhaps it was the pureness of her action that did it. Perhaps it was because the Stevens were so kind. Or perhaps the world decided that things would get better and they did.

The ring sold for 3500$ on eBay and Mrs. Stevens bought a cart full of the cheapest foods. They would not be hungry again as long as she lived.

Sara helped her bake muffins and cakes and packed them in paper so the local grocery store could sell them. It wasn't much money, but enough for them to stay afloat.

Mr. Stevens got a job as a food delivery man. It didn't matter that he used to be a financial analyst. It didn't matter he had two degrees. His little daughter had sold off her mother's ring.

He worked longer hours. He trudged through on days when the weather was bad. He would do whatever it takes to buy it back.

Sometimes the only price to pay, is your ego and the Stevens had already got rid of that.

Sara thought of her biological parents sometimes. It struck her sometimes, to realize she had nothing to remember them with anymore.

But every night when Mrs. Stevens tucked her in to bed, she knew their love lived on.