chapter 3

"Oh yes. Her necklace. I remember it clearly." Miss Grace said finally bringing her hands together in a clasp. "Yes, I still have it. It's in a drawer upstairs in the storage room." 

Imogene breathes a sigh of relief at her response. 

Miss Grace turned to face her with a tilted smile. "You kept pulling at it and it was the most beautiful necklace I've ever seen. I didn't want it to be ruined. I was meant to give it back to you when you got older, but I forgot. I'm sorry that I had it so long." 

Imogene smiled her gratitude. "That's okay Miss Grace. Thank you for taking care of it for me."

"Sure, no problem." Grace replied. "You can wait in the hall while I get it okay?" 

"Sure." Imogene nodded and Grace left the room. She then stood up from her chair and Aaron did the same. Thank you so much for all your help, Mother Harrington."

Mother Harrington gave her a bright smile. "You're welcome dear. I wish I could have been of more assistance. Come on, give me a hug before you go." She stood up from her chair as she said that. Imogene walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her. "Take care of yourself okay?"

Imogene pulled away. Mother Harrington was the closest person she had to a mother and she was always grateful to her. "Thank you."

Aaron then stepped forward and extended his hand. "It was nice meeting you."

Mother Harrington took his hand and smiled. "Likewise. Please take care of Imogene for me."

Aaron smiled. "I will do that."

After all the goodbyes were said, they both left the room and walked to the hall to wait for Miss Grace. 

They waited a few seconds when they saw Miss Grace coming down the stairs with a small box in her hands.

"Here it is." Miss Grace said as she reached the bottom of the grand and winding stairs. She handed the box to Imogene.

"Thank you." Imogene said as she took the box. She then opened the box to reveal a gold necklace with a pendant on the end of it. The pendant was in the shape of a flower. The petals were gold, but the center circle had a blue gem.

"Wow. It's beautiful." Imogene breathes.

"It is." Miss Grace agrees.

Imogene looked up at her. "Thanks again for everything." Grace smiled. "We'll be leaving now."

"Sure. Take care of yourselves."

"Thanks and you too." Imogene replied.

Miss Grace walked them to the door.

"Goodbye." Aaron said when they stood on the porch.

"Bye." Miss Grace said. She waved at them both before she closed the door.

Imogene and Aaron walked back to the car and got it. Even though she didn't get the information she needed. She was glad to have this necklace. It was the only connection to her past life.

As she sat in the car, she looked at the necklace once again. She then hooked it around her neck. 

Hopefully, she can use this to find out more about her parents.

••••••

On their journey back, Aaron looked over at her. "Did you eat lunch before I arrived?"

She shook her head no. "No I did not."

"We can stop and eat. I had passed a small restaurant on our way here. It should be coming up soon." Aaron suggested.

"Okay, sure." 

Soon enough as predicted, a small restaurant came into view. Aaron pulled up to it and parked the car. They both got out and entered the restaurant. 

As soon as they entered, the scent of burgers, fries, fried chicken and fresh biscuits hit her nose. She didn't even realize how hungry she was until she got here. 

They walked up to the cashier to place their order.

Aaron looked at her. "What would you like?"

Imogene quickly scanned the menu that was posted on a board hanging over the cashier's station. "I'll just have a slice of pizza and a coke."

Aaron placed their order and then took a seat near the window and waited for their food.

Their orders came two minutes after. When the plate was placed in front of her, she began to eat instantly.

Aaron looked at her lifting an eyebrow at her. "Good thing I suggested we get something to eat. You were famished."

"You have no idea." She replied.

When they were finished eating, Aaron looked at her. "Are you disappointed about today?" He asked.

"Yeah." Imogene answered truthfully. "I was thinking that maybe this necklace would help me, but honestly, it's just a regular necklace. There isn't any inscriptions or initials on it. There's no way I could use this to find out about my parents." She rest her hand on the necklace around her neck and looked down at the table sadly. "Let's face it, I will never find out about my parents."

"I'm really sorry that today didn't worked out like you hoped. But don't give up hope, you might find out one day." Aaron said trying to cheer her up.

Imogene put her elbow on the counter and rest her chin in her palm. She looked at him and gave a sad smile. "I doubt it. I'll just continue to be Imogene Baker, the girl without a past or family background. It'll be hard, but I'll get used to it."

"Please stop saying that. You can't give up hope. You might be surprised one day." Aaron assured her.

Imogen smiled at him. Aaron was indeed right. If she wanted to find out about her parents, she needed an attitude adjustment. 

She removed her hand from her chin and rest them on the table. "You're right. I've got to have a better attitude than that." She agreed.

Aaron smiled back at her. One that reached his eyes and light up his entire face. "Now that's the spirit. That what I want to hear." He said. "Come on let's go."

They left the restaurant and Aaron drove to Imogene's apartment. When they reached there, it was around three o' clock. Aaron park in front of the apartment and cut the engine.

Imogene turn around to face him. "Thank you for coming with me today. I really appreciate it."

Aaron winked at her. "Anytime."

She laughed at that before unbuckling her seatbelt and exit the car. She waved at him and he waved back before driving off.

Imogene stood outside of her apartment for a while before she decided that she wanted to take a walk at the park nearby. 

She wanted to clear her mind and think about the days events and what her next step would be.

••••••

Imogene was at the park for almost two hours now. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn't realize the time was passing by quickly.

She was enjoying walking through the park though, because the air was cool and welcoming. The wind was rustling the trees and everyone around her just faded into the background.

Even though it was getting late, there were a few people still here with their families or friends. 

The wind picked up pace, blowing her hair around her face. She used her hands to tuck the unruly strands behind her ear. She then shoved her hands in the pocket of her sweat shirt that she was wearing.

She didn't really have any aim, she just continued to walk and got lost in her thoughts.

Today didn't bring about the luck that she needed because she still didn't know who she was. Since the orphanage didn't have any information, she needed another idea. If she could find a neighbour or friend of her family, she would be in luck.

Imogene sighed. She couldn't see how that was possible. If there were such a person, they would have tried and find her a long time ago.

Suddenly, Imogene felt a strange feeling. She felt her skin prickle and the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. 

She couldn't shake the feeling, but it was so strong and sure. 

The feeling couldn't be explained, but she felt like someone was watching her.