Valerie closed her wallet with a snap. She sighed heavily as she leaned against the kitchen counter in her small Brooklyn apartment. She had counted the money twice. There might be forty dollars left. Forty dollars to last… who knew how long? It was difficult to find a good job in New York City.
She looked around the kitchen in her mind. There were some frozen burger patties and a pack of chicken thighs in the freezer. There was a bag of rice and a few tea bags in the pantry. Fine. They could live. For the next few days, all they really needed from the corner store was milk and bread.
“Mommy,
“Mommy’s just going to look for that job, sweetie.” Val forced a smile, even though her stomach was getting tighter with worry. “Don’t worry. In a minute, Zoe and Paulie will be here!”
“Oh, Paulie’s coming!” Tessa clapped her hands, and her mood changed right away. “Are they bringing Milo?””
Zoe’s fluffy orange cat was named Milo. Zoe, who lived down the hall from her, was a lifesaver because she agreed to watch Tessa while Valerie went to the interview. It was difficult to get to work in Midtown Manhattan. It would take longer to get to the interview than it would to get there by subway. You would have to cram onto the R train and then switch at Times Square.
They had been there for two months. Two long, hard months. Val cursed her rashness. She moved to the city with a five-year-old and spent almost all of her savings on the security deposit, the broker’s fee, and the first few months’ rent, all because she hoped to find work quickly.
The
“No, honey, they aren’t bringing Milo,” Val said softly as she stroked Tessa’s hair. “He doesn’t like to visit because he’s an indoor cat.”
“But I want a cat!” Tessa crossed her arms and pouted.
Valerie just shook her head. Every time, the same thing was said. They had Duke, an old tomcat, and Daisy, a little terrier mix, at her mom’s house. Tessa missed them a lot.
Val knelt down to be at eye level with “Sweetheart.” “We live in someone else’s apartment.” The lease says that the landlord does not allow pets.
“Not even a bird?” Tessa asked, her eyebrows going up.
“Not even a bird.”
Val wasn’t thinking about pets right now. She was worried about living. The only thing that kept the panic at bay was that the rent was paid for the next four months. But that giant payment up front had left her bank account and wallet frighteningly empty.
The doorbell rang. Zoe was there, holding her five-year-old son Paulie’s hand. Zoe always brought gifts. This time, it was a small box of donuts from the bakery down the street. She was a single mother as well, but she lived with her parents, who helped take care of Paulie. Val knew that in a city this expensive, it was like winning the lottery.
Hey. Are you ready for this? Zoe asked as she stepped into the small entryway.
Valerie took a deep breath and nodded. She loved this neighborhood and she loved the gritty energy of the city, even if it was kicking her teeth in. It felt like a massive, living thing. She just needed a little patience, a little strength, to find her place in it.
Reaching into the pocket of her blazer, her fingers brushed against the small glass bottle of Rescue Remedy drops. A friend had sworn by them for anxiety. The interview is in two hours. She just prayed this one would be different.
Her nerves were frayed. Too much was riding on this. It wasn’t just her future; it was Tessa’s.
– “So, what’s the position again?” Zoe asked.
– “Assistant Manager. It’s a food distribution company. They send goods to grocery stores all over the city. It sounded like they really wanted to hire someone.
“Is the pay good?” “Zoe wasn’t really seeking employment.” Her parents were still working and were happy to help her and Paulie.
“They said it’s enough for now.” If the pay isn’t good once I’m in, I’ll just have to look for something else.
— “That’s fine.” Zoe told you to start looking again as soon as you get it.
Val nodded, even though the thought made her uneasy. It felt disloyal, like betraying an employer who hadn’t even hired her yet.
She tied the laces on her most professional (and only) pair of flats, kissed Tessa on the cheek for a long time, and looked at Zoe with real thanks.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said. “You really are my angel.”
“Hey, you help me too,” Zoe said with a smile as she took a lollipop out of her purse. “Helps me get away from my parents.”
Val took the candy and put it in her blazer pocket, right next to the drops for anxiety. Her little charms for the day.
The present would be her twelfth job interview in two months. Twelve. She couldn’t seem to catch a break, even though she had experience and degrees. Only one company had the courtesy to send her an email saying no. Most of the companies did not respond at all. Her hope was fading, and a cold panic was taking its place.
Val was squeezing into a crowded subway car fifteen minutes later. She was switching lines ten minutes later. The long drive didn’t scare her. She was okay with giving up the time. She had to do it. There was a little girl in that apartment who needed food and clothes. There was no safety net or trust fund.
She looked at her phone and saw that she had a lot of time. She could even stop at a coffee shop and get a cup of tea. She was staying away from coffee because it made her anxiety worse.
She checked her bag on the subway without thinking about it. The folder with her resume and list of references was there. She sighed and wished she could be like the other passengers, who were just going about their day and not heading to a meeting that could change their lives.
She came out of the station half an hour later and into the canyon of Midtown. She saw the office tower made of glass. She still had half an hour to go. She chose to go into a small café across the street.
She sat at a small table, ordered a green tea, and looked out the window. The city was always a blur of movement. Taxis, delivery trucks, and thousands of people were all moving around, not caring that one person was having trouble finding her place. She had learned one thing in the months she had been here: no one was going to help you in this beautiful, overwhelming city. She was lucky to have found Zoe.
Val closed her eyes and took a sip of the hot tea. She mentally practiced her speech: “My previous role included… I was recognized with a ‘Top Sales’ award… consistently exceeded quarterly goals…” That had to be enough.
She opened her eyes and looked out the window again. Abruptly, a strange sight caught her attention. An older man across the street suddenly clutched his chest. He fell, his face twisted in pain, and started to slide down the building’s brick wall, falling onto the sidewalk.
Val didn’t think twice. She put a five-dollar bill on the table, which was much more than the tea cost, and ran out of the café. She ran across the street to avoid a bicycle messenger.
The man was out of breath when she got there. People who walked by just kept going, a sea of people who were either looking at their phones or pointedly looking away. Val felt a sudden chill of disappointment. Nobody cares that a man is dying.
“Sir? Are you okay, sir?” Val knelt next to him.
He just groaned and held on to a leather briefcase. Val moved it out of the way and opened the top button of his dress shirt to let him breathe. She searched through her purse until she found her water bottle and held it up to his lips.
It was August, and the city was stuck in a heat wave. It had to be 95 degrees, and the air felt like a wet blanket because of the humidity. The pavement was giving off heat.
– “Pills… in my briefcase,” he wheezed.
Val frantically fumbled with the latch on his briefcase, going through files until she found a small, dark glass bottle. Nitroglycerin. Her heart raced. She twisted the cap off with shaking hands, put a tiny pill in her hand, and tried to give it to him. But his hand was shaky, and the pill fell out of his mouth and onto the dirty sidewalk.
She didn’t freak out. She took out another pill and put it under his tongue herself this time. She held his jaw gently to make sure he didn’t drop it again.
“Should I call 911?” she asked, holding up her phone.
He weakly shook his head and closed his eyes. Val was scared. What if he dies right here in front of me? But after a long minute, his breathing seemed to get better, and his face started to get some color back.
Val helped him get up when he looked stable enough to do so. She put her arm around him and led him to a bench at a bus stop nearby. They took a seat. He took out a handkerchief, wiped his forehead, and put another pill under his tongue.
“Are you feeling better?” she asked.
“Yes,” he finally said, and he even managed a weak smile. He said, “My name is Stephen,” and held out his hand as if they were meeting for business.
“I’m Valerie,” she said, shaking his dry hand. “I’m happy I could help.”
She looked at the time on her phone. In five minutes, her interview was supposed to start. She was behind schedule. A shadow of worry crossed her face.
– “Did I forget to tell you something?” “Why?” Stephen asked, seeing how she looked.
Val shook her head and said, “It doesn’t matter.” “Any job interview is not as important as a person’s life.”
“You saved my life,” he said simply. “I owe you.” Can I… Can I pay for your cab? My driver will be here in 30 minutes. He can take you to any place you need to go.
Val smiled and said, “No, thank you.” “I’ll be fine.”
She felt a wave of happiness. The man was fine. As for the job, there would be another opportunity.
“Did they have a heart attack?” What went wrong? Are you worried about something?” Val asked, sitting next to him to make sure he was steady.
“Yes, something happened, my savior,” Stephen said quietly, his eyes suddenly far away. “Though… the time has passed.” But losing a son is always hard, no matter how long it has been.
Val said, “Oh, I’m so sorry,” not knowing what else to say. “I’m sure your grandchildren are there for you.”
“Not really,” Stephen said in a dry voice. “But it doesn’t matter.” I’m almost seventy-five. I know that any day could be my last. “I’m ready for it.”
Val didn’t feel comfortable. She didn’t know what to say in response. They were quiet for another minute until Stephen called. A black town car pulled up a few minutes later, and the driver helped him get in.
Valerie decided to call the company after he drove off. She might as well give it a shot.
– “Hi, I’m sorry, I had an emergency…”
“Oh, honey, don’t worry about it,” the receptionist said, and the line crackled. “We have our own drama going on here.” The CEO had an emergency with his family. Can we move your appointment to the day after tomorrow? Same time?”
Valerie couldn’t believe how lucky she was. Changed the schedule! It looked like the rich had their own problems.
She hugged Tessa tightly when she got back to Brooklyn. To celebrate not failing, she said she would take Tessa and Paulie to the park playground.
Zoe was overjoyed.
“Oh, thank God!” She clapped. “I can finally get my nails done!” I haven’t had a minute because Paulie’s been sick. You’re the best!”
Val sat on a bench in the park, closed her eyes, and watched the kids run. She thought about Stephen. Today, she had saved a life. A real life. The thought made her feel proud in a quiet way.
But she knew that leaving Victor was the bravest thing she had ever done and her biggest accomplishment.
It was so hard, especially with Tessa. Val was only twenty-two years old when their daughter was born. She was still in college, working part-time, and helping to take care of her sick father, David. It was hard for her, but it was her life. Until Victor came.
They met at a Whole Foods store in the town where she went to college. A drunk man hit her, and she dropped a glass jar of salsa that broke all over the place.
“Hey, watch where you’re going, you clumsy…” the man said in a slurred voice.
“Excuse me? You pushed me!” Val shot back, furious.
He sneered, “Standing there like a statue.”
All of a sudden, another man named Victor stepped in between them. He was holding a pineapple.
“You need to say sorry to the lady. Otherwise, we might encounter an issue between us.
“Yeah? Are you going to make me? The drunk laughed. But Victor just moved his weight, and the guy suddenly saw how he was standing and how strong his shoulders looked. The drunk slurred out an apology and even paid for the salsa.
Val was very impressed. Victor looked brave and noble. They began going out. She ignored the flashes of anger for a long time, telling herself he was just being protective.
But it quickly became clear that it wasn’t protection; it was control. Things got worse after they got married.
“Where do you think you’re going?”” That night, he asked her why she was dressed up for her friend Erin’s birthday.
– “I told you to go to Erin’s party…”
– “You can go, but not in that outfit. It seems… not right.
Val looked at herself in the mirror. The bright blue dress she wore wasn’t at all suggestive. But Victor wouldn’t budge.
– “You’re now a married woman. Why are you going to parties?”
She realized then that she was no longer free.
He had told her, “You sit next to your husband and be a good wife.” But that rule didn’t work for him. He went out with his friends all the time, even when Val was pregnant, and stayed out late.
It only got worse after Tessa was born. While Val was on maternity leave for a short time, she was already working as a freelance proofreader for academic journals to make ends meet. But Victor acted like he was the only one who could help her and that she should be thankful.
After that, her father, David, got sick. A wrong diagnosis. Val started driving upstate to be with him every free moment she had. Victor had tantrums. He told her she was “abandoning” her family. She was getting more and more scared of his temper, afraid that he might one day turn it on her or, worse, on Tessa.
She had lost her patience. Her mom kept telling her to stick with it.
“He’s her father, Valerie.” You picked him. “You have to put up with it.”
But there is a limit to how long you can last.
She looked at Victor and knew she didn’t know him at all. The jealousy she felt, the accusations he made, and his attempts to keep her away from her friends all contributed to her decision. Everything was going to one place.
He was shocked when she finally said the word “divorce.” He said he would never let it happen. There were fights that were very loud. She was scared of how aggressive he was.
Her parents were on his side because they were worried about her raising a child on her own. But Val knew that being alone was safer than being with him.
She drove back and forth to help her father during those last few months. He was the person she trusted. He told her just before he died:
“Val, always listen to your heart.” You should leave if you think there is no future with Victor. “It’s better to do it now than to live a lie.”
Those words set her free. She filed for divorce, took her savings, and moved to New York City with Tessa, even though her mother didn’t want her to. She was desperate for a new life.
Now, it seemed impossible to fall in love again.
That night, as she put Tessa to bed, the girl asked,
– “Mommy, are you going to work in that big office?””
“I hope so, sweetie.” The interview was moved. Val smiled and said, “The boss was busy, so I’m going back in two days.”
“If you really want it, you’ll get it!”” Tessa said with confidence.
Val whispered, “I think so too.”
– “I have a dream, Mommy,” Tessa said in a sleepy voice. “I dream that we’re in the park eating ice cream from the Mister Softee truck!””
“Well, that’s not a hard dream to make come true,” Val said, laughing even though her heart hurt. “We’ll get ice cream every week as soon as I get this job.”
Tessa smiled and turned over. Val sat there and rubbed her back. She felt a rush of shame. She didn’t have enough money right now to buy even a five-dollar ice cream cone.
The next morning, she woke up early and used the last of the flour to make pancakes. The only thing she had to buy was milk. The apartment was small, and their budget was tight, but it was quiet.
The day of the new interview came. She had almost no money left. To save money on the subway fare, she had to walk thirty blocks.
She got there on time and sat in the elegant reception area, watching people in expensive suits hurry by. She felt small and plain.
A young helper looked up her name. “They’re ready for you.”
Valerie stood up, took a deep breath, and pushed the heavy glass door open.
She entered. The old man she had saved on the sidewalk was sitting behind a huge mahogany desk in a big corner office with a view of Central Park.
It was Stephen.
“Hello… I’m… I’m here for the interview,” she stammered.
Disbelief replaced the fear that had been choking her all morning.
“Is it really you?”” Stephen shouted, and a smile spread across his face. “What a crazy coincidence!””
– “Yes, it’s me again,” Val said with a smile, feeling the stress leave her. “How are you doing?”
“Oh, that’s much better.” I feel so much better now that I see you.
Val said, “That’s good to hear.” “But… should we get down to business? “I’m here to work.”
— “You’re the one who wants this job?”” Stephen looked confused. “How can a girl as smart and nice as you still be looking for work?”
Val laughed, and it was a real, joyful laugh.
“Can I see your papers?” “To be honest,” he said with a smile, “I’d hire you without them.”
Valerie was floating. She gave him her folder. She was already picturing taking Tessa to the park. But Stephen’s smile faded as he read her resume. His face turned white.
“Is there something wrong?” Val asked.
“You lived on Maple Avenue?”” he asked, his voice so low that it was hard to hear.
– “Yes. Back upstate. Why is that important?”
The old man didn’t say anything. He took a drink of water from a pitcher on his desk and drank it all at once. He looked at the paper again, then at her.
“Valerie, are you my granddaughter?””
“What? What do you mean? “
“David, your father was my son.” And I am his dad. Your grandpa.”
Valerie stopped moving. Stephen fumbled around in his briefcase, the same one she had opened on the sidewalk, and pulled out an old picture of a boy. She recognized the picture. She had a copy of it in her wallet. It was her father.
— “I can’t believe it. You’re my grandpa?” Her eyes filled with tears.”
Stephen nodded, and his own eyes filled with tears.
“I never thought… not like this. For all these years.”
Valerie jumped up from her chair and hugged him in his office.
– “I’ve always wanted to find you! I always wondered why you and Dad didn’t talk. He told me I had to find you before he died.
“Forgive me, Valerie,” Stephen whispered as he held her close. “The grudges are long gone, but my pride… I was too proud to be the first to make up.” And then David was gone. And I never got to say goodbye.
– “Why? Why did you stop talking?”
Stephen sighed and pulled back. “Kate, your grandmother and I all wanted David to be a great man. Go to graduate school and work for the company. He chose love, though. He picked your mom. At the time, we thought it was a mistake and fought about it. I always said we should forgive, but Kate just couldn’t let it go. “I think the anger is what killed her.”
Val squeezed his hand.
– “The most important thing is that we found each other now,” Stephen whispered. “I’m going to be here.” I’m going to do everything for you that I never got to do for your dad.
They both knew they would never be apart again.
Val smiled through her tears and said, “You know, you’re not just a grandfather.” You are a great-grandfather. You have Tessa.
“I have to meet her—not today, right now!” Stephen asked. “We’ll drive my car, pick up Tessa, and spend the whole day together.” “Let’s go to the park and eat that ice cream.”
He narrowed his eyes and waited for her to answer.
Val laughed and said, “Okay.” “But what about the work? Can I still count on the job?”
“Of course,” Stephen said in a serious tone. “Only, I’m going to find you something much better than ‘Assistant Manager.'” “You are my granddaughter. My child. You will have a place in this company that is right for you. “We will never be apart again.”
Valerie couldn’t believe it. It was like a story from a fairy tale. She thought, “Do good, and it will come back to you.”
Stephen called the person who was driving him. A few minutes later, they were on their way to Brooklyn. They picked up Tessa, who was perplexed, and the three of them went to Coney Island. The little girl was overjoyed, and Stephen couldn’t stop looking at his great-granddaughter. He promised her the world.
He said firmly that night, “I will not let my granddaughter live in a small rental in Brooklyn.” “You are going to live with me. My apartment on the Upper West Side is enormous. One day it will be yours.” It’s too big for an old man.”
Val said softly, “Grandpa, don’t talk like that.” “And I love calling you ‘Grandpa.'”
Stephen nodded, feeling ashamed. “When you say that, I feel like I missed a lot.” I was really dumb.
Valerie told him everything that had happened, including what happened with Victor, how scared she was, and how she moved.
Stephen paid close attention. “Valerie, you did the right thing.” We would never have met if you hadn’t come here and taken that chance.
“I hope so,” she said as she hugged him.
Val and Tessa moved into Stephen’s beautiful apartment a few months later. She started taking care of the house and helping her grandfather at work.
Five years later, Stephen retired and gave her the whole company. He knew that his granddaughter was strong and determined enough to handle it.
Tessa was doing well at a well-known private school. Life was enjoyable. Valerie finally realized that everything—the divorce, the scary move, and the risk—had to happen. It was all going to make her happier than she could have ever imagined.
Her mother came over a lot, and she and Stephen had finally made up. But she still wouldn’t move to the city. Val learned that some old wounds just take longer to heal.
