21
Together
December 2, 1945 — JimHarold trudged up the stairs and knocked once before pushing open the door to the spare room. Jim was kneeling by the bed with his head in his hands, and when he heard the hinges squeak, he wiped his eyes on the patchwork quilt before looking at his father-in-law.
“That young man down there—Sterling—he’s a good man.” Harold sank into the straight-backed chair and his joints popped as he did so. “A couple of days ago, he took me aside and asked permission to give Evelyn a diamond.”
Jim had started to rise from the floor, but he slumped back down and leaned against the bed frame, his arms resting on his knees.
Harold cleared his throat. “This beats any story I’ve ever dreamed up. You coming back here the day Sterling was going to propose to her.”
Jim’s
