Your husband and I are meant for each other,” cheered her friend.
Is she here again? – Alice entered the house and put her bags on the table in the hallway with a rumble.
She heard loud laughter from the living room. The air smelled of coffee and something sweet – apparently cookies that Ingrid loved.
Alice, it’s just a business meeting! – Max began from the threshold, clearly anticipating the conversation.
Alice crossed her arms over her chest.
A business meeting? Max, she sits at our house almost every day! Doesn’t she have an office?
Max lowered his eyes, and Ingrid appeared at the doors of the living room with a cup of coffee in her hand. Her hair was perfectly styled, a slight smile on her face, as if it wasn’t Alice, but she, who was the owner of the house.
Alice, honey, you walked in so loudly! I was even scared,” Ingrid murmured. – Max and I are just discussing something important here.
Alice shot back:
Anything important for business? Or is it for you?
Max stepped forward as if he wanted to smooth things over, but Ingrid beat him to it:
What if it was for me? Max is so talented, a pleasure to work with. Don’t you agree?
Her voice had the same intonation that always grated on Alice. She had known for a long time: behind Ingrid’s seemingly innocent demeanor hid something entirely different.
Ingrid and Alice were best friends. They lived in the same neighborhood, shared school lunches, and spent hours swinging in the park. Ingrid was always the daring one – the one who came up with the wildest plans, from “exploring” an abandoned house to performing skits during school assemblies. Alice was her complete opposite – quiet, shy, but always willing to follow her friend.
– Alice, come on! “If you don’t climb the tree, I won’t climb either,” Ingrid would say, her brown eyes brimming with confidence.
And Alice would climb because Ingrid always knew how to inspire her, to make her believe in herself.
As teenagers, Ingrid became even more vibrant. Her looks drew attention: long chestnut hair, a dazzling smile, and a natural charm. She had a circle of admirers, and teachers called her “a rising star.”
- I’m going to be famous! – Ingrid said one day, sitting on a park bench with Alice. – I’m moving to New York and going into theater. What about you?
Alice hesitated:
- I don’t know… Guess I’ll stay here.
Ingrid waved dismissively:
— Oh well, that’s fine. But I’ll always have someone to visit.
After graduating, Ingrid kept her word and left. At first, she and Alice stayed in touch, sharing news and confiding their triumphs and struggles. But over time, the messages dwindled and eventually stopped altogether.
Alice stayed in her hometown. Her life took its course: college, work, and marriage to Max – a calm, kind guy who shared her dreams of family and stability. Together, they built a business, pouring all their time, money, and effort into it.
As for Ingrid, she seemed to vanish. Occasionally, Alice would think of her old friend, but it felt like a chapter of her life that had closed.
- Alice! – The voice sounded as if they had last spoken just yesterday.
Standing at the doorway of their new home was Ingrid – the same Ingrid, only more glamorous, more confident. She wore an expensive coat and had a dazzling smile on her face.
- You have no idea how happy I am for you! I heard you and Max “made it big”!
Alice was stunned. She tried to suppress her emotions, but they swirled inside her – joy at the reunion, and a slight sense of unease.
— Ingrid? Is it really you? How did you find us? – she asked, still in disbelief.
Ingrid laughed brightly:
- Alice, do you really think I could forget my best friend?