“You can always count on this star to guide you home.”

And now, that star rested on the black uniform of a young brunette, silently busy filling glasses of water.

Victoria moved across the room as if weightless.
Conversations died down.
Without being asked, the string quartet lowered their volume.

When she reached the young woman, her voice was barely a whisper:
— This necklace… where did it come from?

The waitress, whose badge read “Rosalie,” instinctively touched the pendant. Her eyes widened in fear.
— Ma’am… I’ve always had it. When I was found, they told me it was already on me.