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.

and called, more gently this

slowly lifted her head, her eyes shimmering

I

across Timothy's mind-a fire, seven

had been terrified

your fault. You shouldn't come into the kitchen

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

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

aching. "Miss Sheila, you're so afraid of

want you eating poorly at

"Miss Sheila,

buckled. Without

grab your backpack. We're eating out this

was sweeping up leaves. When she saw Timothy carrying Sheila outside, her expression

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

What would people think?

out, it would

open the car door," Timothy

reluctantly, opening the door with

Carter isn't home. Why didn't

spoke up first. "Timothy, you don't like leaves scattered everywhere. I asked Mabel