Chapter 68
Chapter 68: The Chicago Mentorship
By 2044, Carter’s studio in Chicago had become a sanctuary for young, underprivileged artists who didn't have the funds for elite universities. He had established the "Davis Foundation for Civic Art," funded entirely by the profits from his corporate graphic design contracts.
I flew out to visit him in the autumn. The foundation was located in a vibrant, converted warehouse in the West Loop, filled with the energetic noise of teenagers painting, sculpting, and digital rendering.
We stood on the observation catwalk, watching a young woman from the south side of the city present a stunning digital mural concept to a group of local community leaders.
"She reminds me of Anna at that age," Carter said softly, leaning against the metal handrail. "Full of raw talent, but completely terrified that the world won't let her in because she doesn't have a wealthy name."
"You're giving her the key, Carter," I said, looking at his calm, mature profile.
May you like
"I’m giving her what Aunt Claire gave me," he corrected me, turning to smile at me. "An opportunity to prove her worth on her own terms. My mom spent her entire life trying to buy my way into an Ivy League using stolen money, thinking that a title would make me safe. But the only time I ever felt safe was when I finally learned how to work with my own two hands."
As we walked down to join the students, I realized that the true victory over our family’s past wasn't just that Anna and I had succeeded—it was that the person they tried to turn into a weapon against us had become our greatest ally in healing the world.
