The next day, the city moved at its usual pace. Ava's parents strolled through Midtown to clear their heads after leaving their daughter's apartment the night before.
They said it helped them think, but in truth, both still carried the weight of their daughter's situation.
Margaret held her coat with one hand, the other wrapped loosely around her handbag strap.
"She looked exhausted yesterday. I couldn't stop thinking about how she told us everything."
Her husband, Daniel, nodded. "She's been pushing herself too hard, but she'll bounce back. Ava's strong."
Margaret sighed, "Resilience doesn't pay rent, you know?"
As they approached the corner of Madison Avenue, Margaret noticed a familiar café with large glass windows and a soft light.
She blinked. "Wait, is that?"
A woman stepped out of the cafe, brushing a hand over her sleek dark hair as she laughed at something said behind her.
Margaret's eyes widened in instant recognition.
"Oh my goodness," she breathed. "Is that Evelyn Watts?"
Daniel followed her gaze, raising his eyebrows. "I think it is."
Evelyn Watts, her old high school friend. She had studied with her, and lost contact over the years. Behind her stood her husband, Robert Watts, who was straightening his jacket.
Margaret didn't think. Her feet moved first.
"Evelyn!" she called out.
The woman turned, her face brightening. "Margaret? Margaret Morgan?" She hurried over and hugged her. "My goodness, it's been years!"
Daniel shook hands with Robert; both smiled with the politeness shared by acquaintances who were never friends, but always pleasant to see.
"What on Earth are you doing here?" Evelyn asked.
"We're just out for a walk, trying to clear our heads." Margaret replied.
"What about you guys?" Daniel asked.
"Oh, we just finished a meeting near Park Avenue, and thought we'd eat before heading home."
The conversation came easily; unexpected reunions quickly brought back nostalgia. Within minutes, they were laughing over old school mischief and long-forgotten acquaintances.
Evelyn Watts tilted her head toward the café door. "Actually, we were just about to order lunch. You two should join us."
Margaret hesitated, out of habit rather than reluctance, but Evelyn waved her off.
"Come on. It's been too long. Besides, we have so much to catch up on."
So they agreed.
Inside, the café was full of chatter. Soft jazz played, and the warm lights made each table a calm spot, away from the New York's city noises.
They settled into a booth by the windows, with menus in their hands. A waiter took their drink orders and left them to talk.
Evelyn leaned back with a smile. "Tell me about your family. You have a daughter, right? Ava?"
Margaret's hand paused while folding her napkin. "Yes, Ava."
"She must be grown now," Evelyn said. "Last time we spoke, she was just starting college."
Daniel cleared his throat quietly. "She's twenty-six now."
"How is she?" Robert asked calmly.
A short silence followed, long enough for Margaret to notice her husband's glance.
She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "She's figuring things out."
Evelyn Watts caught on immediately. "So she's having a hard time?"
Margaret exhaled. "She lost her job yesterday."
"Oh no," Evelyn said softly. " I'm sorry."
"She'd been struggling at work for a while," Daniel added. "Deadlines, pressure; she did her best, but it wasn't enough."
The waiter returned with their drinks. Once the glasses were set down, the conversation continued.
"What was she doing?" Robert asked.
"Public relations," Daniel replied. "She's good at it too, creative, organized. But life piled up, and this city isn't kind when you start slipping."
"That hasn't changed," Evelyn Watts said with a small laugh. "It punishes even the slightest mistake."
They ordered food and then returned to the topic.
Margaret wiped her thumb on her glass. "She's really overwhelmed right now. Rent is due, bills everywhere, and she hates asking for help. She's always been independent, a little too independent."
Evelyn exchanged a brief look with her husband before speaking. "You know, our son, Zayden, runs a firm in technology and business consulting. He's always looking for capable young people."
Margaret blinked, feeling unsure. "Oh?"
"She's probably not interested in tech," Daniel said quickly.
"That doesn't matter," Evelyn said, waving her hand. "He hires all kinds of roles. Creative, managerial, administrative. He values driven, thoughtful people. Backgrounds don't matter."
Margaret hesitated. "I don't want her to think we are handing her opportunities."
Evelyn smiled. "I'm not promising anything. I'm just saying, if she's talented and needs a chance, Zayden won't ignore it. He notices people trying to rebuild themselves."
Daniel chuckled. "That sounds like him."
"You've met him?" Robert asked.
Daniel nodded." A few years ago, at a charity gala. He was focused, serious."
"That hasn't changed," Evelyn Watts said with a small grin. "He's considerate and doesn't mind helping hardworking people."
Margaret exchanged a glance with her husband, wondering if this might actually help Ava.
"We're not asking for favors," she said quietly.
"I know," Evelyn Watts replied. "I won't offer one. I can just mention your daughter to him. He'd decide for himself."
Margaret nodded slowly. It didn't feel like charity, just possibility. A door opened slightly, enough to reveal something beyond the worry that had weighed on them for months.
Their lunches arrived, and the conversation turned to lighter topics: travel, old stories, and embarrassing memories of classmates. Laughter rose around the table, drawing a few glances.
Beneath it all, the offer lingered as the laughter faded.
When the plates were cleared and the bill settled, they stepped outside. The wind blew heavily against their coats.
Evelyn said to Margaret, "Let me talk to Zayden. No pressure, no expectations. Just a conversation. If he thinks it's worth meeting her, we can arrange it."
Daniel nodded. "We appreciate that more than you know."
Margaret took a breath and said, "Thank you, Evelyn."
"Of course," Evelyn said with a soft smile. "Sometimes the right connection appears at the right time. Life works in strange ways."
They parted on the sidewalk as they walked in opposite directions.
Margaret squeezed Daniel's arm.
"What are you thinking?" he asked.
"That maybe," she said quietly, "This could be the chance Ava needs."
They said nothing more, not wanting to overthink or exaggerate the moment.
As they walked, they felt something shift, small but real.
A chance had come.
And miles away, in her small apartment, Ava had no idea that a simple lunch conversation had just set events in motion that could change her life forever.