Vera Xavier was unaware of Shane Caldwell's decision. Once she was a safe distance away, she put the stone into her schoolbag. She figured if she brought it straight home, Rona Langdon would just throw it out.
Her trip to Cobble Street made her a little late. Rona Langdon was washing rice for dinner and started yelling the moment she saw her. "Running wild again, were you? You're an hour later than usual!"
Vera Xavier ignored her and went to her room, schoolbag still on her back. After shutting the door, she took the stone out of the bag.
She scanned the room. It was tiny, with nowhere to put the stone. She ended up hiding it under her bed, planning to take it out and find someone to cut it open before school started up again after summer break. Then she could trade it for cash.
She had just finished hiding the stone when she heard Rona Langdon screeching, "Vera Xavier, get down here and make dinner!"
