Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy by Hallee A. Bridgeman Page B

WWII decor and the relaxed atmosphere. “Pretty nice place, huh?”
    “I think it’s wonderful. Thank you for inviting me.” She chewed on some iceberg lettuce and swallowed. “Can I ask you for a favor?”
    “Sure.” Craig took another sip of soup, then pushed his bowl aside.
    “Well, two things, really.” She was still trying to learn how to relate to her only living parent.
    “Anything.” His fingers tapped on the top of the table. Robin had noticed that he never sat still anymore. She remembered all the years serving him at Hank’s and could always tell when he had reached his drink tolerance, because his fidgety body would slowly slow down.
    “I have four months left on my lease and don’t really want to break it. Maxine’s apartment is ready for her to start moving into it. I know the halfway house is pushing you to get out.”
    Craig nodded. “Now that I have a job, they need to free up the bed. It’s been hard to find something temporary, knowing what May will bring.”
    “Well, Maxine has offered to let Sarah and I stay with her, if you would be willing to take over my lease. I know it’s two bedrooms, instead of one, but I can pay half of the rent if you need me to.”
    Craig nodded. “What’s your rent there?” She told him. He frowned. “I might could swing it. I think Casey’s being a little more generous with my pay because I’m the boss’ dad.” He grinned. “I’m okay with that, though, ‘cause I won’t be here for too long.”
    In a spontaneous movement, she reached forward and took his hand. “I’m really proud of you. You going forward to the police and turning yourself in is amazing.”
    With a shrug, he said, “I can’t run anymore.”
    She squeezed his hand and went back to her salad. “You’re doing the right thing. But it must be intimidating.”
    “Well, I don’t know. I been inside more of my adult life than out. So, it’s not like an unknown. Would be better if I knew how long they’s going to give me. Barry doesn’t seem to think it will be more than ten years, seein’s how I turned myself in and it’s manslaughter. But, we’ll see. What is going to be hard is to start a ministry inside. Abram and Tony, they’re helping me and teaching me. I go to class every Wednesday to learn how.”
    Robin grinned. “I know. It’s so exciting.”
    Craig shook his head and smiled at the same time. “So strange this turn in my life. But you know, we were praying about it and, this is going to sound funny.”
    Robin waited. When he didn’t speak anymore, just kept his lips tight and his eyebrows knotted up, she prompted, “Go ahead.”
    He took a breath and raised one shoulder in a half shrug, “Well, it was like I heard someone talking to me inside my head. Like I heard an actual voice. It was telling me that I had already been to prison for a reason. That I already knew the system inside for a reason. That everything had already been planned ahead of time to bring me to this place and time that is coming. I can’t get my head around it. I took two lives. It makes no sense to me. And since then, I find myself feeling excited about the idea of going back in. Imagine being excited about going back to prison.”
    “I know what you mean.” Robin took a drink of her soda and pushed her plate aside just as the waitress arrived carrying platters of steak and potatoes. Her mouth watered at the tantalizing aromas wafting her way.
    After she cut into her steak and chewed the first bite, she said,” I was also wondering if you wouldn’t mind giving me away at my wedding. I’d contemplated asking Hank, but – “
    He shook his head. “I ain’t been much of a father to you. Hank did so much more.”
    “But you are my father. I’m incredibly proud of you and want to show you off. But also, I was praying about you or Hank and I kept hearing my voice saying I must honor you because you are my father.” She watched as he tugged at his collar and nervously took a sip of