Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"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."

head, her eyes shimmering with

I really so

across Timothy's mind-a fire, seven

Sheila had

not your fault. You shouldn't come into the

Henry. "Miss Sheila went through a fire once. She's afraid of it. You're not

not

Sheila, his heart aching. "Miss Sheila, you're so afraid of fire, but you still

didn't want you eating poorly

her tightly, his voice trembling. "Miss Sheila, you're too good to me. Please don't ever

helped Sheila to her feet, but her legs buckled. Without hesitation, he scooped her up

We're eating

the yard, Mabel was sweeping up leaves. When she saw Timothy carrying Sheila outside, her

insisted she was simply Timothy's sister-in-law. Now, she didn't seem the least bit concerned about

What would people think?

out, it

the car door,"

over reluctantly, opening

glanced at her coolly. "Mrs. Carter isn't home.