At the end of the video, she smiled at the camera the way she used to smile at me over a book. “You said you didn’t care about my money,” she told me. “So I spent it on your future instead. Now go finish what you started.” Then she blew a kiss to the camera. I watched it three times in Mr. Delgado’s office. He handed me a box of tissues and left me alone.

I graduate from nursing school next May. Until then, I work nights at a hospice, and I always make sure nobody sits alone. I still read aloud to anyone who wants it. Marguerite’s children still don’t speak to me, but the rumors have stopped. I wear the locket every shift, tucked beneath my scrubs. Some patients ask what it is. I tell them it’s the best ring I ever bought, and the only one she ever wanted.