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.

down beside her and called,

her head, her eyes shimmering

I really

flashed across Timothy's

Sheila had been terrified of

not your fault. You shouldn't come into

"Miss Sheila went through a fire once. She's

urgent. "Timothy, it's not Henry's fault.

Sheila, you're so

I just didn't want you eating poorly

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

buckled. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in

We're eating out

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

Timothy's sister-in-law. Now, she didn't

What would people think?

Carter found out, it would break her

the car

opening the door with

coolly. "Mrs. Carter isn't home. Why didn't

to explain, but Sheila spoke up first. "Timothy, you don't like leaves scattered