I don't know how long had passed before Megan let go and brought me a damp towel to wipe my face.
"You don't have to figure anything out tonight," Megan said. "You don't have to decide anything tonight. Casey, you've got time. Nobody's saying you have to solve everything right now."
I nodded, voice small. "Okay."
She rubbed my back gently. "You want me to stay, honey?"
I shook my head, voice breaking. "I just need to be alone for a bit. Thanks, Megan."
She stood, left the bag of Oreos on the nightstand, bent down and hugged me, whispered in my ear, "You're the strongest person I know. I swear. And you know I don't swear lightly."
Then she shuffled out in her cat slippers. The hallway door closed. Everything went quiet again.
I sat on the edge of the bed alone and placed my hand on my stomach. I didn't want to think about anything. I just wanted to sit.
I stayed like that until dawn.
Just as I finally felt a hint of exhaustion, ready to close my eyes for a moment, my phone buzzed.
Diana Rossi. "Miss White, can you meet at eight this morning? I'll send you the address."
I opened the address she sent. Back Bay. Business district. Where a latte cost my daily living expenses.
I stared at the message for a long time. I was too tired to wonder how she got my number. Paul probably gave it to her. I just wanted this over with.
So I replied with a simple "okay," got up, washed my face quickly, and left.
The café sat on the ground floor of an all-glass building. I stood outside and looked in. Leather booths, brass fixtures, waitstaff in uniforms more pressed than my nicest outfit.
I took a deep breath and pushed through the door. Diana was already seated by the window in a perfectly tailored deep purple cashmere coat, an exquisite designer bag beside her.
She saw me, smiled, and raised her hand slightly. "Miss White."
I walked over and sat down, pulled my scarf down.
A waiter approached. "What can I get you?"
"A latte." I glanced at the menu.
The waiter withdrew. Diana lifted her fancy drink. "Paul loves this place," she said casually. "He says their pour-over has perfect balance. We've been here many times together. Have you been here before?"
I had. I'd walked past the door many times. Then kept walking.
"No," I said.
"Oh, I see." She smiled. "Well, you can enjoy it today."
I looked at her, voice steady. "Miss Rossi, just say what you came to say."
She seemed caught off guard by my directness, paused, then smiled again. "Paul was too impulsive last night. As his close friend, you've helped him a great deal. What he's achieved today—you played a part."
I didn't speak. Waited for her to continue.
"So," she reached into her bag unhurriedly and pulled out a dark gold bank card and placed it gently on the table. "Five hundred thousand dollars. A small token from Paul and me. You're capable, ambitious. I'm sure this will help you achieve your dream of opening that language school."
"This is Paul's idea?"
Diana paused. "You're a smart woman. Some things don't need to be spelled out. Better for both of us that way, don't you think?"
