Unpriced

The World Beyond

They walked together for another block.

Neither of them felt the need to speak.

It was not an uncomfortable silence. It was the kind of silence that existed between two people who had known each other for years. A silence filled with understanding.

Ahead, the sidewalk divided at a quiet intersection.

Sarah slowed down.

Roxy noticed immediately.

"What is it?"

Sarah looked back in the direction of the Sterling estate before turning her attention back to Roxy.

"I have to go back."

"So soon?"

A small smile touched Sarah's face.

"If I stay away too long, someone will start asking questions."

Roxy's expression softened.

"I suppose they will."

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The city continued around them. Cars passed. People walked by. Everyone seemed to be following their own paths, unaware that this small moment meant everything to Roxy.

Sarah reached out and fixed the collar of Roxy's blouse.

It was such a familiar gesture that Roxy felt a tightness in her chest.

Sarah had done that since she was a little girl.

"I wish I could come with you," Sarah admitted.

Roxy looked at her.

"You can."

Sarah shook her head gently.

"If I spend the whole day with you, then you will still be experiencing the city through my eyes."

She smiled.

"I think it's time you see it through your own."

Roxy looked down uncertainly.

"But I don't know where to go."

"You don't have to know."

Sarah's answer came without hesitation.

"That's the beautiful thing about today."

She looked at the busy street ahead.

"For once, you don't have a schedule."

"You don't have a driver waiting."

"You don't have a meeting to attend."

"You don't have to make anyone proud."

She met Roxy's eyes.

"You only have to be curious."

A quiet laugh escaped Roxy.

"I've never done this before."

"I know."

"How do people decide where to go?"

Sarah smiled.

"Sometimes they don't."

"They just start walking."

Roxy looked around.

People passed by carrying coffee cups, shopping bags, and backpacks. Some rushed to work. Some laughed with friends. Some walked alone.

None of them looked like they had everything figured out.

And somehow...

They all seemed fine.

Sarah gently squeezed her hand.

"Buy yourself a coffee."

Roxy blinked.

"I've never bought my own coffee."

"Then today is the perfect day to learn."

They both laughed softly.

Sarah's expression became thoughtful.

"And if you happen to hear children making more noise than the adults..."

Roxy smiled.

"The Sanctuary?"

Sarah nodded.

"You'll know you're close."

Roxy hesitated.

"What if I don't find it?"

Sarah looked at her with quiet confidence.

"Then maybe today wasn't the right day."

She paused.

"But I have a feeling..."

A small smile appeared.

"...you'll find exactly what you're meant to find."

Something inside Roxy shifted.

Before she could stop herself, she stepped forward and hugged Sarah.

The older woman froze for only a moment before wrapping her arms around her.

"I'll see you later," Sarah whispered.

Roxy nodded.

"I'll be careful."

"I know you will."

Sarah stepped away and began walking back toward the estate.

After a few steps, she turned around.

"Oh, and Roxy?"

"Yes?"

"Don't spend the whole day worrying about getting lost."

Roxy tilted her head.

"What if I do?"

Sarah laughed.

"Then you'll finally have your first real New York adventure."

Roxy smiled.

She watched until Sarah disappeared into the crowd.

Then she looked ahead.

One road stretched to the left.

Another curved to the right.

For the first time in twenty-four years...

No one was standing beside her telling her which way to go.

No one was deciding for her.

She smiled.

Then, with nothing but curiosity to guide her...

She started walking.

Roxy chose the road to the left.

Not because it looked better.

Not because someone suggested it.

Simply because she wanted to.

The sidewalks were alive with movement.

People hurried past with headphones in their ears. Others walked slowly, talking and laughing with friends. Some carried shopping bags while others held cups of coffee as they rushed toward their next destination.

Roxy watched them quietly.

No one stopped to tell her where to go.

No one reminded her what was expected of her.

No one looked at her like she was a Sterling.

She was just another person walking through New York.

And strangely...

That felt freeing.

She passed a small newsstand overflowing with newspapers and colorful magazines. A little farther ahead, a florist arranged fresh tulips outside his shop, humming softly as he worked.

The sight made her pause.

The flowers reminded her of the afternoons she had spent with Sarah in the east garden, planting flowers and getting dirt on their hands despite Sarah's constant complaints.

A small smile appeared on her face.

Maybe not every memory had to hurt.

Maybe some memories were proof that she had been loved.

A breeze moved through the street, carrying the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

Roxy followed the scent.

Between a bookstore and a small bakery stood a café with large windows facing the street. Inside, people sat with warm cups in their hands. Some talked quietly. Others worked on laptops or read books in peaceful corners.

Roxy stopped outside.

She watched them for a moment.

"So this is what people mean when they say they are going for coffee," she whispered.

The thought made her smile.

She had drunk coffee many times before.

But it had always been served to her.

Placed on a silver tray.

Prepared exactly the way someone else decided.

She had never chosen it herself.

Never ordered it.

Never paid for it.

Taking a small breath, she pushed open the glass door.

A tiny bell rang above her.

Warm air surrounded her immediately.

The café smelled of coffee beans, cinnamon, butter, and freshly baked bread.

It felt simple.

Comfortable.

Almost like home.

"Good morning!"

A cheerful voice pulled her from her thoughts.

A young woman behind the counter smiled at her.

"What can I get started for you?"

Roxy opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

Her eyes moved toward the menu above the counter.

There were too many choices.

Espresso.

Americano.

Cappuccino.

Latte.

Flat white.

Mocha.

Macchiato.

She knew what they were.

She had just never been the person who had to decide.

The silence lasted only a few seconds, but it felt much longer.

"I'm sorry," Roxy said with a small embarrassed laugh.

"It's my first time ordering."

The barista blinked.

Then her smile grew.

"First time here?"

Roxy shook her head slightly.

"First time... ordering something for myself."

Instead of laughing, the young woman leaned against the counter.

"Well, welcome."

Such a simple word.

Yet somehow, it made Roxy relax.

"If you don't mind me asking," the barista continued, "what kind of coffee do you usually like?"

Roxy thought carefully.

"I like coffee."

The barista laughed.

"That helps... a little."

Roxy laughed too.

"I suppose it doesn't."

"Do you like it strong?"

"Not really."

"Sweet?"

"A little."

"With milk?"

"Yes."

The barista nodded.

"Then I think a vanilla latte would be a good choice."

Roxy repeated the name quietly.

"A vanilla latte."

"It's sweet, simple, and a good place to start."

Roxy smiled.

"Then I'll trust your choice."

The barista smiled back.

"Good choice."

She entered the order into the register.

"That will be five dollars and seventy-five cents."

Roxy reached automatically for the handbag she normally carried.

Then she remembered.

She didn't have one.

Her fingers touched the small purse Sarah had placed inside her cardigan earlier.

"Just in case," Sarah had said.

The memory brought a small smile to her face.

She took out the money and stared at it.

She had seen money her entire life.

But she had never been the person handing it over.

"I'm sorry," she admitted.

The barista looked at her kindly.

"What happened?"

Roxy held up the notes.

"I don't know which one I'm supposed to use."

The person waiting behind her gave a quiet laugh.

Not a cruel one.

A kind one.

An elderly man holding a newspaper smiled.

"Everyone has a first time."

Roxy felt her cheeks warm.

The barista pointed gently.

"This one."

Roxy handed it over.

The entire exchange took only seconds.

But when she received her change, she felt something she couldn't explain.

It was such a small thing.

Yet it belonged completely to her.

"Thank you."

"Your latte will be ready soon."

Roxy stepped aside and held onto the receipt.

She found a seat beside the window.

Outside, New York continued moving.

Inside, she sat quietly, watching the world she had always been separated from.

And for the first time...

She was part of it.