The layaway plan and Stellar’s new diamond

There was never any doubt in the layaway plan. In fact, Stellar is so fond of the layaway plan that she does it every year. Not because she has to. She is a very conscientious and hard worker. Therefore she is well off. Not rich. But comfortable enough to have a hobby or two. Furthermore, she liked the anticipation of the big day. The day of the final payment.

She stares at the diamond, trying to sort it out in her mind. Of course it shouldn’t be here. Yes she had a layaway. It was a miniature porcelain teacup set. It was a rare offering and highly collectable. She didn’t always go for the collectable things. However, when something suited her, she just knew it. Her teacup set is also a limited edition. And it wasn’t in the box.

There was only one large, but very impressive, diamond. Fitted into a foam mold, it is roughly the size of a large grape. Stellar felt very confused at first. It just didn’t make any sense. The store put her teacup set away six months ago. Stellar made payments on it every week. Earlier today she made the final payment. Then she returned home. And she didn’t open her package until later. Instead, she found a diamond.

The Layaway Plan

She continues to stare at the large, yet beautiful, gem. It is dazzling and glitters with the light as though filled with stars. She almost wished she didn’t have to return it. However, there wasn’t much choice, really. Obviously a mistake happened. Somehow there was a mix up. Her teacup set was expensive, but it was nowhere near the value of this diamond. If it’s real.

The thought is a sobering one, and she begins a new examination of the large diamond. This time looking for anything that might show if it is a fake. After a minute or two, she has to admit she hasn’t got a clue. If it is a fake, then it is one beautiful forgery. If it is real, then she can only imagine someone is in hot water this evening. Indeed, whoever made this screw up, was probably already in the unemployment line.

With this in mind, she decides to return the diamond, first thing in the morning. Maybe the swift return will save someone their job. After all, it was just a layaway. Mistakes happen. Stellar understands about mistakes. She would return the diamond first thing in the morning. The next morning at seven thirty, just before sunrise, the store and everything in it, burned to the ground.

Stellar’s New Diamond

The store, and everything in it, burned to the ground. There was not so much as a single wall left standing. Stellar parked near the parking lot of the decimated structure later that day. The smell of sulfur, and burned copper, was strong. The old store was a smoldering pile of rubble. She definitely hadn’t seen this coming. Likewise, she wonders if her teacup set will ever appear anywhere else.

However, she does have a diamond. And she has some extra time. Therefore she decides to go and have the diamond appraised. She fully expects it to be fake. However, it would be good to know for sure. Then she could decide what to do. There had to be someone she could call about her teacup set.

Later that day, she decides to give up on the teacup set. The diamond was real. In fact, it was very real. Its size and exquisite cut made its value extreme. Even by the jeweler’s standards. Stellar had quite a prize. A diamond from the layaway department. After several attempts to gather information, Stellar gave up on the store reopening. It turns out the corporate office wanted the land for an apartment complex. Therefore Stellar, got to keep her diamond.

She got to keep it until the inter-dimensional beings showed up. But that’s another story. Thanks for reading today.

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