FIVE YEARS LATER

Haddonfield, Illinois

October 17, 1984

Holly handed her nearly five-year-old daughter a small wrapped box. Both wonderment and excitement shone brightly in Karen's deep brown eyes as she gave the present a gentle shake. Holly chuckled. "Go ahead and open it, sweetie," she encouraged.

Karen instantly met her gaze. "But my birthday isn't until tomorrow."

"I know, but I want you to have this gift now."

Smiling, the young brunette girl ripped off the wrapping paper, revealing a small jewelry box. She opened the lid and gasped. Inside laid a small gold cross with a colorful opal embedded in its center. "Wow," she breathed. "It's so pretty."

"It's a necklace," Holly said. She pulled a silver chain out from underneath her light blue sweater. Connected to the chain hung platinum cross. Instead of an opal, a sapphire sparkled within its center. "It's just like mine. See?"

Karen threw her arms around Holly's neck in a tight hug. "It's the best present ever!" she proclaimed. "I love you, Mommy."

The woman smiled, gladly returning the affectionate embrace. "I love you, too, Karen, and happy birthday."