Chapter 3 — The Neighbor Knocked
Around noon, someone rang the front door.
It was Mrs. Carter, the elderly neighbor who had lived across the street for nearly twenty years.
She carried a homemade casserole.
"I made too much," she smiled.
Then she noticed Emma slowly walking downstairs.
"Oh sweetheart..."
Mrs. Carter hurried toward her.
"You should be resting."
Emma smiled weakly.
"I've been trying."
Margaret interrupted.
"She's fine."
Mrs. Carter looked around the spotless living room.
Then toward the kitchen.
Then back at Emma's swollen feet.
Her expression changed.
"I watched from my window last night."
The room became still.
"I saw that poor girl standing at the sink until nearly eleven."
No one spoke.
Mrs. Carter turned toward Daniel.
"I kept waiting for someone to help her."
She looked directly at Margaret.
"I thought maybe you were all sick."
The silence became unbearable.
Without another word, Mrs. Carter handed the casserole to Emma instead of Margaret.
"This is for the mother."
May you like
Not the household.
The mother.
