Chapter 7 - A PLACE FOR HEALING
Three months later, a small brick building on Chicago's North Side opened its doors.
The sign read:
BENNETT & DAUGHTER COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER
Inside were easels, paintbrushes, guitars, clay tables and walls covered in children's drawings.
Claire stood beneath a photograph of Lily painting a rainbow.
This was the beginning of something new.
The lawsuit settlement had given Lily financial security.
Claire decided to use part of it to create a nonprofit center for children recovering from trauma.
The door opened.
Marcus walked in carrying cinnamon rolls.
"Founder Bennett."
Claire laughed.
"You're impossible."
"Ethan accepted a plea deal."
Her smile faded.
"How long?"
"Twelve years."
Claire breathed out slowly.
The final legal chapter was closing.
Then Lily ran into the room.
"Mommy!"
She held up a painting.
A house.
Two figures.
A huge sun.
Claire crouched.
"Who are they?"
"Us."
Lily pointed at the sun.
"And this means we never have to play in the dark again."
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
Marcus handed Lily a wooden box.
Inside were watercolor brushes engraved with her name.
Lily hugged him.
"Thank you!"
She ran back to the studio.
Marcus looked at Claire.
"You did this."
Claire shook her head.
"We did."
And for the first time, Claire realized that perhaps surviving wasn't the end of the story.
May you like
Perhaps it was the beginning.
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