Caroline Walks Through the Door
Chapter 15 - Caroline Walks Through the Door
Two years after that Saturday morning, Anna was working at The Evelyn when someone entered her office.
Caroline.
Anna stared.
"You look surprised."
"I am."
Caroline held a folder.
"I'm applying for a studio."
Anna almost laughed.
"Seriously?"
Caroline smiled nervously.
"I started a financial consulting business."
"After losing your inheritance?"
"Especially after losing it."
Caroline had spent two years rebuilding.
She now helped women understand investment contracts before signing them.
The irony wasn't lost on either of them.
Anna opened the application.
"You know there's a waiting list."
"I know."
"I'm not giving you special treatment."
"I'd be disappointed if you did."
Anna studied her.
Then she asked:
"Why here?"
Caroline looked around.
"Because this place exists partly because I made one of the worst decisions of my life."
Anna didn't respond.
Caroline continued.
"I thought maybe something good could grow beside that."
Anna understood.
Not from it.
Beside it.
Pain didn't need to become a blessing.
Sometimes something useful simply grew in the same ground.
Caroline got a studio six months later.
They still weren't friends.
But sometimes they shared coffee.
They never talked about David unless necessary.
One afternoon Caroline looked at Anna.
"Do you think you would've left him if you hadn't seen those messages?"
Anna thought.
"Eventually."
"Are you sure?"
"No."
Caroline nodded.
May you like
Anna smiled slightly.
"But I'm glad I didn't have to spend another decade finding out."
