David Comes Back to Town
Chapter 16 - David Comes Back to Town
David returned after serving his sentence.
Anna heard through Emily.
He rented a small apartment.
Found work with a construction company that knew his history.
No management position.
No family name protecting him.
He started over.
One afternoon, Anna saw him at a grocery store.
Neither knew what to do.
Finally David smiled.
"Hi."
"Hi."
That was all.
Then Anna noticed what he was holding.
A frozen dinner.
She laughed.
David looked confused.
"You still can't cook?"
"Prison did not improve that."
They both laughed.
For one strange moment, they were themselves again.
Not husband and wife.
Not victim and betrayer.
Just two people who had once known each other deeply.
David looked at her.
"You look happy."
"I am."
"Good."
He meant it.
Anna believed him.
Before leaving, he said:
"I saw The Evelyn."
Anna raised an eyebrow.
"From outside."
"Good clarification."
He smiled.
"It's beautiful."
"Thank you."
"Your mother would've been proud."
Anna's eyes filled slightly.
"She would've hated the paint color."
David laughed.
"Absolutely."
Then they walked in opposite directions.
Anna didn't look back.
May you like
Not because she hated him.
Because she no longer needed to.
