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.

her and called, more gently this time,

her head, her eyes shimmering with

I

Timothy's mind-a fire,

since, Sheila had been terrified

fault. You shouldn't come into

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

her head, her voice urgent. "Timothy, it's not

looked up at Sheila, his heart aching. "Miss Sheila, you're so afraid of fire,

want

"Miss Sheila, you're too good

Sheila to her feet, but her legs buckled. Without hesitation,

grab your backpack. We're eating

Mabel was sweeping up leaves. When

yesterday, Sheila had insisted she was simply Timothy's sister-in-law. Now,

What would people think?

Mrs. Carter found out, it would break

the car door,"

opening

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

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