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.

beside her and called, more gently

her head, her eyes shimmering with

I really

Timothy's

Sheila had been

shouldn't come into the

as he looked at Henry. "Miss Sheila went through a fire once. She's afraid of it. You're not to ask her to cook for

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

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

want you eating poorly at

Sheila, you're too good

legs buckled. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in

grab your backpack. We're eating out

was sweeping up leaves. When she saw Timothy carrying

yesterday, Sheila had insisted she was simply Timothy's sister-in-law. Now, she didn't seem the least

What would people think?

Mrs. Carter found out, it would break

the car

shuffled over reluctantly, opening the door with a

coolly. "Mrs. Carter isn't home. Why didn't you make breakfast this

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