The Years That Followed
Life moved on, as life always does.
The years passed the way they always pass in New York City. Fast. Loud. And without much pause for sentimental things. Margaret continued running her hot dog cart day after day after day. Winters froze her fingers right through her thick wool gloves. Summers turned her skin pink beneath the umbrella she rigged above the cart.
She watched the city change all around her while she stayed in the same spot on the same corner of the same street. Some customers became regulars over the years. They knew her name. They asked after her health. They left a little extra change in the tip jar.
But most people forgot her face only moments after walking away. That was simply the way of the city.
Sometimes, late at night while cleaning the grill, Margaret would remember the little girl with the trembling hands and the solemn promise. The memory always warmed her heart for reasons she could not quite explain.
“One day I’ll pay you back.”
It had become one of those memories that made her smile softly even on the coldest of winter nights.
