Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 8

"Miss Sheila? Is that really you?"

Sheila turned, catching Henry's gaze.

For a moment, Henry forgot all about looking for his mother. Beaming, he scurried over to Sheila's side.

Sheila's brows knit together, her voice soft and apologetic. "Henry, last night over dinner, you mentioned not liking the school lunches. I wanted to make you something myself to take today, but... I think I messed up."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the acrid smell of burning filled the air then flames leapt up from the pan on the stove.

With a frightened gasp, Sheila dropped to the floor, curling into a tight ball.

Henry, alarmed, wrapped his arms around her and shouted, "Dad! There's a fire in the kitchen! Dad!"

As he tried to soothe her, he gently patted Sheila's back. "Miss Sheila, it's okay. Don't be scared."

Timothy hurried in, drawn by the commotion. Without missing a beat, he turned off the gas and clamped the lid onto the flaming pan. The fire sputtered out almost immediately.

But Sheila was still trembling, unable to move.

Concern shadowed Timothy's usually composed features.

He knelt down beside her and called, more gently this time, "Sheila."

lifted her head, her

am I

flashed across Timothy's mind-a fire, seven

Sheila had been

not your fault. You shouldn't come into

through a fire once. She's afraid of it. You're not to ask

her head, her voice urgent. "Timothy, it's not Henry's fault. He never asked me

you're so afraid of fire, but you still did this

want

he hugged her tightly, his voice trembling. "Miss Sheila, you're too good

feet, but her legs buckled. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in

backpack. We're eating

sweeping up leaves. When she saw

simply Timothy's sister-in-law. Now, she didn't seem the least

What would people think?

out, it would break her

come open the car door," Timothy

over reluctantly, opening the

Carter isn't home.

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