Chapter 80

Small towns never ran out of gossip. As Valeria walked in, someone called out, "Hey, are you looking for someone around here?" She ignored them. The bags in her hands were heavy, and she walked straight through the narrow alley. Margaret's house was tucked deep in the neighborhood, with an old red iron gate. Valeria used a key to open it. Inside the yard, Margaret was washing clothes by hand, with two tabby cats curled up near her feet. When she looked up and saw Valeria, she froze in surprise, then wiped her hands on her apron and stood up. "You little rascal, why didn't you say you were coming? You just show up like this?" Valeria walked over quickly, setting the bags down. "I bought you a washing machine, didn't I? It's freezing out. Just use that." "It's only a couple of shirts. It feels like a waste to use the machine." Valeria took Margaret's hand. It was so rough that it made her chest tighten. Time had passed too fast. She could still remember being four years old.