Ruyton Girls’ School - Scripsi 2013

The Jade

Jewellery Box

The jade jewellery box.

Part of the Lau family for generations, handed to brides to keep

reminding them of their past. Their family. Centuries of precious

rings, bangles and jewels have been stored in here. Safe. Stories of

great love gone by in the past.

Yes.

The jewellery box can be my link. My reminder of my home. I can

build a new life with clothes, furniture and paintings. This box will

be my link, my tie to my home.

Melbourne, 15th of April 2012

The Year of the Dragon

I arrived at Thalia’s house just in time for dinner. But I first went to

their guest room and plonked all my things on the bed. I sat on the

bed and fell back, sighing with exasperation.

“What happened?” asked Thalia, sitting down next to me. I sat up

again.

“Mum’s jewellery box. I smashed it into a thousand pieces.” I

replied simply. She gasped; her hand flying to her mouth. Knowing

she was going to continue to question me, I started to tell the story

of the party. I arrived at the part where she slapped me and she

interrupted:

“Oh my God! I forgot! How’s your cheek?” she gasped. I shrugged

again. I kept talking ‘til I finished the story. She thought for a while

then asked me, “Why did you ask them over in the first place?”

“I dunno. I wanted to piss her off.” I replied, staring at the floor.

Our ‘girl talk’ ended when Thalia’s mum called us down for dinner.

I watched their easy relationship with jealousy. Mutual respect,

laughter.

Then I pictured my mum. Alone in her room with the shattered

pieces of her beloved jewellery box all around her.

“I have to go,” I said as I ran out of the door.

I ran all the way home, tears streaming down my face. Guilt,

sadness, sympathy, all boiling over.

I flung open the door and saw her still sitting on the floor of her

room. But she was no longer crying. “Alice. I love you. I’m sorry I

hurt you. I just want you to be safe.” She whispered. I hugged her for

the longest time. I realised that all the rules and regulations were not

to punish me but to protect me. She only remembers her youth full