In the last story in 'Strange Little Girls,' two alternate stories are offered about a woman who lived during the war. Which one offers the happier ending?

In one alternative, the woman in the story lives through the war and has grandchildren. In the other alternative, the woman is caught and killed by the Gestapo. At first it seems as though the woman who survived has the sadder ending. She cannot feel joy and smiles rarely, because she is weighed down by memories of the past. The woman who was killed is free, and dreams of a daughter's wedding. She is more hopeful. However, this dream is actually the future that the first woman can experience. She may be weighed down by memories of the past but at least she can experience joy. The other woman is dead, and her future was ended with her. She was denied a daughter's wedding and grandchildren. Both women were scarred by the war, but at least the woman who is still alive has reason to hope and people to love.