Chapter 50
Latonia had been there, a silent witness to the whole saga.
She watched helplessly as Carole naively stumbled into a love that was nothing but a beautifully adorned trap.
No one knew better than Latonia the bitter years Carole had endured since then.
“It’s not for him,” Carole said, her face calm as she clasped Latonia’s hands. “I genuinely enjoy being on my own.”
Latonia sighed with concern and warmth. “Carole, you’re only thirty–eight, still so young. You can’t let one bad relationship color your view of the entire world. There are good men out there. Let go of the past and be open to new experiences.”
“Latonia, I know you mean well,” Carole replied, her voice tinged with tired honesty. “But right now, I don’t want to think about all that. I only want to focus on raising Ann.”
After so much turmoil, Carole had no appetite for new romances. Her sole ambition was to watch her daughter, Anthea, grow up and find her slice of happiness. Even the bitterness had faded from her heart. What was there to hate when everything seemed to have shifted so irrevocably? Fate had dealt its hand, and there was little point in fighting it.
“I just worry about you being all alone.” Latonia said, leaning in for a comforting hug.
As a woman herself, Latonia understood the struggles of single motherhood well.
Carole patted Latonia’s back reassuringly. “I’m okay, Latonia.”
She had weathered many storms and didn’t consider her life particularly hard.
Seeing Carole so resolute, Latonia dropped the subject.
As the clock struck ten, thoughts of preparing lunch began to cross Carole’s mind.
Anthea emerged from her room and announced, “Mom, no need to cook today. I’ve ordered. delivery.”
“Alright,” Carole nodded in agreement.
Latonia playfully scolded, “Why spend money on food delivery, kiddo? We’re like family. A simple meal would’ve been just fine.”
Anthea laughed. “As long as Latonia doesn’t mind, it’s all good.” She had just received a hefty commission and wanted to celebrate the arrival of a guest in style.
At half past eleven, the delivery arrived punctually.
The logo on the packaging made Latonia’s eyes widen. This restaurant was renowned for its exquisite taste, and the prices were steep, not an everyday choice for most folks.
Anthea’s generosity was on full display, and the meal was delightful for everyone.
Baldle caught sight of Anthea’s latest Twitter post immediately.
She looked stunning in the photo, her features sharp and clear.
Baldie’s attention then drifted to the girl beside her, then his expression shifted subtly.
If his memory served him right, this girl was Sarah, his cousin’s middle school classmate.
He had often heard his cousin talk about Sarah, the girl who had struggled academically, failed. to make it to high school, and went straight into the workforce. She was the cautionary tale his cousin always cited.
“Birds of a feather flock together,” he thought. Anthea wouldn’t associate with someone like Sarah if she had any sense.
To Baldie, it seemed like a clear case of Anthea choosing to lower herself.
In the evening, when Anthea arrived for her shift at the rotisserie where Baldie worked, he was sitting at the bar, doing his homework. For the first time, he didn’t greet her.
Unexpectedly, his silence had met with indifference. Anthea didn’t acknowledge him either. which stung more than he’d anticipated.
Eventually, he couldn’t bear it and approached her. “Ann?”
She looked up, “What’s up?”
“Do you know Sarah?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Anthea nodded. “She’s a good friend of mine. You know her?”
Baldie shook his head, his face neutral but his eyes betraying disdain. “I don’t, but my cousin does. They were classmates in middle school. I’ve heard that Sarah started working right after middle school. Is that true?”
