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

her head, her eyes shimmering with

am I really

Timothy's mind-a

Sheila had been terrified of

your fault. You shouldn't come into the

through a fire once. She's afraid of it. You're not to ask

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

heart aching. "Miss Sheila, you're

want you eating

her tightly, his voice trembling. "Miss Sheila, you're too good to me. Please

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

your backpack. We're eating out this

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

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

What would people think?

out, it

open the car

shuffled over reluctantly, opening the door

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

but Sheila spoke up first. "Timothy, you