“She did this to you, didn’t she?” Susan asked in the soft voice she knew he loved to hear.

“I told you not to ask, okay? Just keep your mouth shut when your brother comes here, and we will be fine. I will be here again before your time is up.”

“Okay, my love,” Susan said with a smile.

He looked at her and looked away.

An awkward silence descended between them, and Susan knew she did not have much time before someone would come sniffing for her like a hound.

“Do you want to leave now?” she asked, trying hard not to wrinkle her nose at the stale smell...