I dragged my suitcase, moving down the stairs step by step. I did not know where to go or what the future held.”
“Minnie! Minnie! What happened? Did that homewrecker kick you out?” Carol’s rough voice sounded behind me. She grabbed my arm, her tone full of surprise and indignation.
I bit my lip, not knowing what to say.
Seeing my silence, Carol sighed, her voice softening as she said, “Do you have somewhere to go? My niece runs a small business and is hiring. Accommodation is included. Are you interested?”
I was stunned, never expecting Carol to help me.
Though usually friendly, she loved to gossip, and I thought she had just come to laugh at my misfortune.
I nodded at her, finally unable to hold back my tears. “Yes, Carol. Thank you.”
–
Carol waved her hand dismissively. “We’re neighbors. You’ve had a rough couple of months. Your Raymond was never any good. I even warned you about him back then. Anyone could see that Victoria was trouble. You wouldn’t believe it, and now, look…”
Carol continued chattering. Her rough hand offered a small
trace of comfort to my cold heart.
Following Carol, I arrived at a bustling marketplace. Her niece, Lily Lewis, was renting a small shop that sold fashionable clothes.
Carol recounted the disgusting affair between Raymond and Victoria to Lily, adding her own embellishments. After listening, Lily put her hands on her hips and cursed loudly, “Those two fools! How absolutely worthless! Don’t worry, Minnie. Stick with me, and I’ll take good care of you!”
She wrapped an arm around iny shoulders, sat me down on a small stool, and handed me a cup of warm water. “Here, drink this. Warm yourself up.”
I held the cup as the warm water flowed down my throat and into my stomach, bringing a touch of comfort. Lthen watched Lily bustle about, attending to customers. Listening to her hearty laugh, I felt my tense nerves gradually relaxing.
People came and went in the marketplace, with voices rising and falling as they tried to haggle. The place was full of energy, and I felt like I had returned to life.
