Chapter 3 A New Day

The kettle whistled sharply, and Amy bolted out of the bathroom, barely managing to twist off the gas before the kettle threatened to spill over. She let out a sigh of relief, enjoying the peace of a quiet, uneventful weekend for once. After a chaotic week of waiting tables, the calm felt like a reward. She'd even made enough in tips to splurge a little on groceries and stash some money away. It was a small win, but these days, small wins were enough.

Pouring herself a steaming cup of tea, Amy settled at her small dining table and opened her laptop, scrolling through job listings. She'd been searching and applying to anything she thought she could handle, from entry-level office jobs to part-time gigs. So far, nothing had panned out, but she was determined to stay optimistic. Just as she was about to apply for a secretary position that looked promising, her doorbell rang, its shrill sound breaking the silence.

Amy got up, tea still in hand, and opened the door. Her breath caught the moment she saw who stood on her doorstep.

"Clara!" she choked out, setting her cup down before throwing her arms around the elegant woman in her fifties.

Clara smiled, wrapping her arms around Amy with a warmth that was as familiar as it was comforting. She was dressed simply in an oversized blue shirt and white pants, her blonde hair tied back in a neat ponytail.

"There, there, my darling," Clara murmured, patting Amy's back gently. "I'm so sorry I couldn't come sooner. John's recovery took longer than we expected, and things have been... challenging for us lately."

Amy pulled back, blinking back tears as she took in Clara's kind face. "Don't apologize, please. I'm just relieved to hear he's alright. I've missed you so much."

She led Clara into the small living room and motioned for her to sit, quickly heading to the kitchen to pour another cup of tea. When she returned, she found Clara looking around her apartment with a soft smile. Her gaze lingered on the worn, secondhand furniture, the faded but clean curtains, and the few carefully chosen decorations Amy had added to make the space feel like home.

"You've really made this place your own," Clara said, her eyes shining with pride. "I'm so proud of you, Amy."

Their relationship was one that had blossomed over the years. Clara, the head caretaker at the orphanage, had become something of a mother figure to Amy, the scared little girl she'd taken in years ago. They had forged a bond, rooted in love and strengthened by years of shared memories.

"Honestly, me too," Amy admitted, smiling sheepishly as she handed Clara the tea. "There were times I didn't think I'd make it, especially after leaving the orphanage. It was terrifying to be on my own."

Clara's face softened with regret. "I wish I could have been here for you then. You know, if you'd needed anything, you could have called Jacob."

Amy's expression shifted instantly, her smile fading into a scowl. She wrinkled her nose, giving Clara her usual pout whenever Jacob's name came up. "I'd rather die, honestly. Besides, I knew you'd be back eventually."

Clara chuckled knowingly. Amy and Jacob had never seen eye to eye, not since their days at the orphanage when he'd always teased her for being the scrappy little girl who never followed the rules. Despite the time that had passed, their relationship was still as prickly as ever.

The two women quickly fell into a rhythm, catching up on everything they'd missed in each other's lives over the past few months. Clara shared updates about the orphanage, telling her about the new kids, the old staff, and the latest news in the small, close-knit community they both still cared about. Amy spoke about her friends, her exhausting job at the café, and her efforts to find something more stable.

By the time they looked up, dusk had settled outside, and Clara let out a small sigh, glancing at her watch. "I should get going. John will be waiting."

Amy's heart sank a little, but she nodded, understanding. Just as Clara rose to leave, she reached into her pocket, pulling out a small white envelope and handing it to Amy.

"Oh! I almost forgot," Clara said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "This arrived at the orphanage for you a week ago. It was addressed to you, so I opened it. It's a job offer-a secretary position at a new boutique in town. I figured you'd applied and just mixed up the address."

Amy took the envelope, her brows knitting in confusion. "I didn't apply for this job. And why would they send an offer by mail? Everything's been online these days."

Clara's expression flickered for just a second, something inscrutable in her eyes, before she shrugged. "Maybe it was an oversight. You did say you've been applying to so many places. And didn't you ask friends to put in a good word for you here and there?"

Amy still looked skeptical as she stared at the letter in her hands. "But-"

"Amy, don't overthink it," Clara interrupted gently. "It's a wonderful opportunity, and you could really use the money. Just give it some thought, okay?"

She gave Amy a quick hug, wrapping her in that same motherly warmth she'd missed so much, before heading to the door. "Promise you'll come visit us soon, once things are settled?"

"Of course," Amy replied, hugging her tightly. "Tell John I'm glad he's alright, and I'll see you both soon."

She closed the door after Clara left and stood in the quiet of her apartment, staring at the envelope on the coffee table, her thoughts swirling. Something about the letter felt strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

The envelope was simple and unmarked except for her name and the orphanage's return address. She opened it carefully, unfolding the neatly typed letter. It was an official job offer for a full-time secretary position, complete with a generous salary and benefits package. The name of the boutique was unfamiliar, but the location was nearby, and the terms were almost too good to be true.

Her heart raced as she scanned the letter. This could be her chance-her break, the answer to all her worries. But the nagging feeling in the back of her mind wouldn't go away. Why had the letter gone to the orphanage? And why did it come by mail instead of email, like every other job application?

She set the letter down, trying to ignore the questions buzzing in her mind. Maybe Clara was right; maybe it was just a coincidence. After all, she had been desperate, applying left and right. This was a fantastic offer-one that could change everything for her.