CHAPTER FORTY–ONE- Is This the End or just the Beginning?
Laura McKenna pushed open the heavy warehouse door, stepping out into the warm afternoon sun. The familiar s
scent of cardboard and industrial cleaner faded as she breathed in the fresh air. Behind her, Todd from IT hurried to catch up, his lanyard jangling with
each step.
“Wait up, Laura!” he called, slightly out of breath. “I wanted to catch you before you left.”
Laura turned, adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “Hey, Todd. What’s up?”
Todd came to a stop in front of her, his round face flushed. “I just wanted to say goodbye properly. Can’t believe you’re really leaving
A small smile tugged at Laura’s lips. “Thanks, Todd. It’s been… an experience, for sure.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Todd chuckled. “Remember when the conveyor belt went haywire and scattered boxes everywhere? 1 thought old man Jenkins was gonna have an aneurysm.”
Laura laughed, the memory vivid in her mind. “God, yes. I’ve never seen someone turn that shade of purple before.”
They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of change hanging between them.
“So, New York City, huh?” Todd said, breaking the quiet. “Big move.”
Laura nodded, her eyes distant. “Yeah, it is. But after everything….I need a fresh start, you know?”
Todd’s expression softened, “I get it. Well, the IT department won’t be the same without you popping in every other day to rescue us from paper jams and coffee spills.”
“I’m sure you’ll manage,” Laura teased. “Just remember: when in doubt, turn it off and on again.”
Todd laughed, then hesitated before pulling a small, wrapped package from his pocket. “Here, got you a little something. You know, to
remember us by.”
Laura took the package, touched by the gesture. She carefully unwrapped it to reveal a sleek, metallic pen
“It’s got a built–in USB drive,” Todd explained, a hint of pride in his voice. “Figured it might come in handy in the big city.”
“Todd, this is… thank you,” Laura said, genuinely moved. She impulsively gave him a quick hug, which he returned awkwardly.
“Take care of yourself, Laura, Todd said as they parted. “And hey, if you ever need tech support in NYC, give me a call. I’ll talk you
through it.”
Laura smiled, tucking the pen into her purse. “I’ll keep that in mind. Goodbye, Todd.”
With a final wave, Laura turned and walked towards her car. As she unlocked the door, she glanced back at the warehouse one last time. It wasn’t much, but it had been a lifeline when she needed it most. Now, with the inheritance from her great aunt burning a hole in her pocket and a world of possibilities ahead, it was time to move on.
She slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot. The warehouse grew smaller in her rearview mirror, and with it, a chapter of her life closed. New York City beckoned, and Laura McKenna was ready for whatever caine next.
“I can’t believe you’re keeping this swill,” Jen said, holding up a bag of coffee beans with a look of disgust. “Seriously, Laura, your taste buds need an intervention”
Laura snatched the bag from her sister’s hands, cradling it protectively. “Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. This stuff got me through my divorce.”
Jen raised an eyebrow “I thought that was the bottle of tequila we emptied together.”
“That too,” Laura admitted with a wry smile. She tossed the coffee into a box labeled “Kitchen“, “But this was for t
the mornings after.”
The sisters stood in the middle of Laura’s small Stamford apartment, surrounded by a sea of boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. The room buzzed with the energy of new beginnings, tinged with the bittersweet taste of endings.
Jen picked up another bag of coffer, this one sporting a fancy label with Italian writing. “Now this,” she said approvingly, “this is what you should be drinking. Why do you even have this?”
Laura paused in her packing, a distant look in her eyes. “Leon bought it. Sald we needed to ‘refine our palates.” She snorted. “Guess his palate got pretty refined with Vanessa ”
An awkward silence fell between them. Jen cleared her throat. ” ‘So… donate pile?”
A CIUTERIOITYONE A TIE Nenden
Laura considered for a moment, then shook her head. “No, I’ll keep it. Maybe I’ll develop a taste for it in New York.
“Speaking of taste,” Jen said, clearly trying to lighten the mood, “what are you going to do with this… interesting collection of flavored coffees?” She gestured to a shelf stocked with an array of brightly colored bags.
Laura groaned. “Oh God, I forgot about those. They were on sale, and I got carried away.”
Jen picked up a bag, reading the label with increasing incredulity. “Bacon flavored coffee? Laura, honey, no. Just… no.”
“Don’t judge me,” Laura laughed. “I was going through a phase.”
“A phase of torturing your taste buds, apparently,” Jen retorted. She rummaged through the collection. “Pickle… bubblegum… oh, come on, butter popcom? This isn’t coffee, it’s a crime against nature!”
We’ll do
Laura couldn’t help but giggle at her sister’s horror. “Okay, okay, you win. We’ll donate those.”
“Donate? To who? Your enemies?” Jen shook her head. “No, these need to be destroyed. For the good of humanity.”
Laura rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. They’re not that bad.”
Jen fixed her with a stern look. “Laura. Sis. I love you, but I cannot in good conscience let you take these abominations to New York You’re starting fresh, remember? New city, new you, new…actually drinkable coffee.
Laura hesitated, looking at the colorful bags. They were ridiculous, sure, but they also represented a time when she was trying to find joy in small things, to shake up her routine after the divorce. But maybe Jen was right. Maybe it was time to let go of more than just the
coller
“Fine,” she sighed dramatically. “Toss them. But I’m keeping the hazelnut one.”
Jen grinned triumphantly. “Deal. Now, can we please pack some real coffee for your new place? I refuse to visit you in New York and be subjected to whatever swill you pick up at the corner bodega.”
Laura laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. This was what she’d miss most about Stamford these moments with Jen, the easy banter, the way her sister could always make her laugh, even when everything else felt like it was falling apart.
“Alright, coffee snob,” she said, bumping Jen’s shoulder affectionately. “Educate me. What does the sophisticated New Yorker drink these days?”
As Jen launched into an enthusiastic explanation of single–origin beans and roast profiles, Laura smiled to herself. Whatever New York had in store for her, at least she’d be well–caffeinated.
The community room of Laura’s apartment complex buzzed with activity. Neighbors and local bargain hunters milled about, examining the eclectic array of furniture and knick–knacks spread out before them. Laura stood near the entrance, a clipboard in hand, trying to maintain some semblance of order.
“Alright, folks,” she called out, her voice only slightly shaky. “We’re about to start the bidding on this lovely coffee table. Solid oak, berely a scratch on it. Who wants to start at twenty dollars?”
A hand shot up in the back. “Twenty!
“Twenty dollars, do I hear twenty–five?” Laura scanned the room, spotting another raised hand. “Twenty–five to the gentleman in the Blueshirt Thirty, anyone?”
As the bidding continued, Jen weaved through the crowd, keeping an eye on the smaller items to ensure nothing walked off without payment. She paused by an elderly woman examining a set of floral teacups,
“Those were our grandmother’s,” Jensaid softly. “Laura’s always loved them, but……”
The woman nodded understandingly. “Sometimes it’s harder to keep things than to let them go, dear.”
Across the room, Laura’s voice rose in excitement. “Sold! To the lady in the red dress for fifty dollars. Congratulations, you’ve got yourself a great coffee table ”
As Laura marked off the sale on her clipboard, the community room door burst open. A middle aged couple stormed in, the man’s tace
Hushed with irritation.
“Is this the garage sale?” he demanded, looking around critically.
ira approached them cautiously. “It’s an auction, actually We’re selling
“Auction?” the woman interrupted, her voice shrill. “Don’t you think that’s a bit presumptuous for used furniture?”
Laura felt her cheeks grow hot. “I wethought it would be the fairest way to
CHAPTER IDITY TWO & Paul That We
