“I haven’t forgotten anything.”
“You’ve been visiting your sister in the hospital quite a lot lately, always rushing there with bags full of stuff,” Andrew grumbled to his wife, Anne, as she returned from the hospital yet again, and they sat down for dinner.
“Why does it bother you so much?” Anne asked, surprised.
“It’s not that it bothers me. I understand, she’s your sister. But Cathy’s not in a critical condition, and there are other people who can visit her. Her husband, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law… Why do you go there every day? Is there a charming doctor you’re keen on seeing daily?”
“What nonsense are you talking, Andrew!” Anne retorted. “That’s a ridiculous idea. And let me tell you, Cathy’s doctor is a woman. So, your theory falls flat…”
“No, Anne, really, explain it to me. What’s the need to rush to the hospital every day after work? You’re getting up at six in the morning, making all these broths and teas… Then you dash home after work, pack a bag, and hurry to the hospital? It’s self-imposed torture, honestly. You’re exhausted, not getting enough sleep. Look, you have circles under your eyes…”
“Alright, I’ll explain, otherwise you won’t leave it alone,” Anne sighed, clearing the table. “Let me make some tea, and we can talk.”
“Alright,” her husband agreed, sounding relieved to finally understand.
***
At seventeen, Anne Williams moved to the city after finishing school, hoping to enroll in college or a technical school. She was born and raised in a small village with no opportunities for further education. But Anne was determined to earn a diploma and become a lawyer.
She failed her university entrance exams but was thrilled to get into a legal technical school instead. The last thing she wanted was to return to the village with its lack of prospects. She had no desire to work as a shop assistant like her mother or stay in the village at all.
Determined to make it in the city, Anne planned to study, find a job, and build a life. She would visit her family and help them once she was settled. She had no doubt about achieving her ambitious plans.
In school, Anne dated Victor Thomson, a classmate. But unlike Anne, Victor didn’t crave city life and had no plans to leave the village. He got a job at the local farm, like his parents, and intended to join the army and continue working there afterward. That life suited him perfectly.
Anne, however, was horrified by such prospects and easily broke up with Victor, realizing he was not the man of her dreams. Their futures weren’t compatible. Victor wasn’t too upset either and married Helen, who had long pined for him, just six months later.
After enrolling in the technical school, Anne settled into the dormitory, determined to excel so she could qualify for an increased scholarship. Her parents sent her money each month, so she managed just fine, living modestly but not miserably.
…Anne vividly remembers that autumn day… She was on a bus, returning from the library where she’d been preparing for a seminar on civil law. Anne had stayed late and ended up traveling during rush hour when public transport was packed with people coming home from work.
Barely squeezing into the crowded bus, she avoided waiting for the next one, hoping it wouldn’t be as packed. Anne, tired and longing to get home, had no desire to wait any longer.
Once off the bus, where she felt like a sardine in a can, Anne was relieved but then horrified to find her bag cut open… Cold sweat dripped down her back as she realized her wallet was gone…
Such thefts were common, with pickpockets exploiting crowded public transport and distracted passengers. Finding who did it was nearly impossible.
The worst part was that Anne had just received her scholarship that day, and her parents had sent money the day before—everything was in the wallet. She hadn’t hidden the money under her mattress as usual. Now the wallet was stolen, and she was penniless…
The situation was even more troubling because she’d recently spoken to her parents, and her mother had mentioned that her father’s pay was delayed. Her mother advised her to be frugal since they couldn’t send more money anytime soon.
Saying Anne was shocked is an understatement. Tears flowed as she scolded herself for not hiding the money sooner and being careless on the bus. She’d heard of such thefts before. One of her classmates was recently robbed on a tram. Now Anne herself had fallen victim…
Going to the police seemed pointless. What could she say? She didn’t remember the faces of any passengers near her. Finding the thief was like searching for a needle in a haystack, utterly impossible.
The cheap wallet was probably already discarded somewhere, and the thief had pocketed the money. All her money… How was she going to live? Eat? All she had left was a bit of margarine, two onions, tea, some buckwheat, and pasta. Certainly not enough for a month.
“Why are you crying?” Julie, her roommate, asked upon seeing Anne in tears.
Anne explained her predicament.
“That sucks,” Julie said. “But it’s your own fault. Who carries all their money with them? You should’ve kept the bag close or hidden your money better. Times are tough, you need to keep your wits about you. You’re such a scatterbrain, Anne. Top of the class, but clueless otherwise…”
Anne knew Julie was right, and her words didn’t make her feel better. She wasn’t upset that her roommate had called her a scatterbrain. It’s exactly how she felt. But there’s no turning back time or fixing it. The money was gone, but life had to go on.
She dismissed the idea of calling her parents. Admitting her carelessness made Anne feel ashamed. Her parents were already having financial difficulties, relying on her mother’s shop job since her father hadn’t been paid. Plus, they had another daughter, Kate, to feed…
Perhaps getting a job was the way forward, Anne thought. But who would pay her right away? She’d need to work a month or at least two weeks for an advance… But new employees don’t usually get advances… What was she to do? It felt hopeless…
“Want me to introduce you to a sugar daddy?” Julie suddenly offered.
“A what?” Anne didn’t catch on immediately.
“Oh, are you living under a rock? A rich bloke who’ll take care of you in exchange for… well, I’m sure you get the idea.”
“I get it…”
“Good,” Julie continued. “You’re quite the looker, so you’d find plenty of takers… and you’d be set.”
Julie’s suggestion didn’t sit well with Anne. The thought of becoming someone’s mistress, selling herself, made her skin crawl. She knew her roommate had no qualms about it and therefore didn’t face financial issues, but Anne found the idea revolting…
“So, should I set it up?” Julie asked again.
“No,” Anne shook her head, then hesitated before asking, “Julie, could you lend me a bit of money? Just until my next scholarship is due. I’ve got nothing.”
“Sorry, can’t do. Spent most of it on clothes and makeup, got just enough for food. But my offer still stands. Think it over. When you’re hungry, morals seem less important.”
Anne didn’t reply, turning away and quietly crying until she fell asleep without noticing…
