When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Teresa didn’t want to hear any more of Yolanda’s griping about her. She walked straight into the living room.

The moment Richard saw Teresa, he shot up and hurried over. “There you are, Teresa. What took you so long today?”

Teresa gave him a smile and explained, “An emergency case came in just as I was leaving work. Got busy with that and then came straight here.”

Hearing Teresa’s voice, Yolanda’s back stiffened. But she kept acting aloof and didn’t bother to turn around. She just sat there, waiting for Teresa to say hello first.

Yolanda figured, “This is Mr. Richard’s house. Mom wouldn’t dare ignore me here. Even if it’s just for show, she’ll have to act like she

cares.

But the thing was, Teresa acted like Yolanda wasn’t even there. She completely ignored her.

When Richard stood

for Richard.

tood up. Charles threw a quick look at Teresa as she came in. She didir’i so much as glance his way. She only had eyes

Go

get

the

Richard took Teresa’s arm and steered her toward the sofa. As they walked, he shot Charles a look. “Teresa hasn’t eaten yet, food we saved for her from the kitchen.” His tone meant no arguing.

Charles couldn’t be bothered to get into it with Richard over something as simple his phone, and pushed himself up.

as

fetching food. He grunted an agreement, put down

M

Passing the table where Yolanda sat, he gave her hood a quick yank.

“You’re coming with me.” he said.

Yolanda turned around and gave Charles a gloomy look. But with Richard right there, she couldn’t exactly

throw

a

fit.

So she just sighed, pushed herself up, muttered a reluctant “okay,” and followed Charles out toward the kitchen.

Teresa saw them heading off to get the food and could practically feel the reluctance. She wasn’t trying anyone. “I can get it myself.” she offered.

Teresa started toward the kitchen, but Richard grabbed her hand and firmly sat her back down.

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10

make things

difficult for

–

THE FAM

વજાત કે વિર

Tapping his cane for emphasis, he lectured, “You sit right there! We brought you into the Logan Family to have a good life, not to struggle. Charles and Yolanda have perfectly good hands and feet. What’s the big deal if they do something for you once? You’ve bent over backwards for them plenty of times already.

“You gave us Yolanda, and you deserve to be treated well in this family. A man is meant to be useful. If you don’t put him to work today, he’ll think he can walk all over you tomorrow.”

Teresa felt warm all over inside listening to this. Richard had always been so good to her all these years.

Back when Yolanda was born, he’d showered Teresa with priceless jewels and a huge chunk of money.

If it weren’t for holding on to that kindness, Teresa wouldn’t have bothered coming back today to put up with Charles and Yolanda’s attitudes.

Teresa’s eyes grew misty. She gave him a small smile. “I understand now, Grandpa.”

Just then, Charles and Yolanda came out carrying the food that looked great, all Teresa’s favorites.

Yolanda set down the bowl, then turned right back to her card game without a word.

Charles handed Teresa her fork and was about to slip away himself when Richard barked, “Charles, where do you think you’re going?”

Charles looked up, confused. “Grandpa? What’s up?”

Richard lifted his cane like he might swat Charles. “Don’t you know you’re supposed to sit down and eat with Teresa?” he snapped.

Charles looked down at Teresa. She didn’t look back, just said flatly, ‘Grandpa, I can eat by myself. I don’t need him to keep me company.”

Her cool brush–off threw Charles for a second, pulling up memories of how Teresa used to be.

Back in the day, whether heading home or out somewhere, if she got the chance to be with Charles, Teresa would cling to him. She’d ask if he wanted something to eat or if he felt like grabbing a drink. She’d ask if he wanted to hang out or go pick up some fruit. Anything, really.

But now, it felt like a complete one–eighty. He wasn’t sure what had gotten into her, but it left a faint twinge of discomfort. Just a tiny blip, though. Charles wasn’t about to care much about it.

Charles was the first on his feet. “Grandpa,” he said, “let me see you to your room.”

Richard still wanted to help patch things up between them. But it was getting late, he was just heading off to bed, and asked Teresa, Yolanda and Charles to stay over here.

anything

ired. So he stood up, saying he was

Just as Charles took Richard’s arm, Teresa suddenly called out, “Grandpa.”

Richard turned back, his eyes kind. “What is it?” he asked.

“I have work tomorrow.” Teresa said. “I should really head back. I’m afraid tomorrow…”

it now.”

But before she could finish, Richard put on a show of being hurt. “Go on back then. After all, I’m old now. Every day counts, and all I want is for rny kids to spend a little time with me. But seems everyone’s got an excuse these days. Well. Guess I’m just past

He kept sighing away as he spoke.

Seeing Richard like that, Teresa’s heart twisted. She wished she could take back every word she’d just said.

www.

“Grandpa, I’ll stay.” she said quickly, “I’ll have breakfast with you tomorrow.” Teresa had a soft heart. She just couldn’t stand up to Richard when he pulled this kind of thing. She caved in.

As Charles took Richard’s arm to help him to the bedroom, Richard didn’t turn back to look at Teresa But Charles caught the knowing smile that flashed across his face just then.

Charles knew Richard too well–he was always playing the guilt card, and they always fell for it.

Suddenly, it was just Teresa and Yolanda left in the living room. The air hung thick and still.

Behind her, Teresa could hear the soft rustle of Yolanda playing with her cards.

Before, Teresa would’ve slid over and wrapped Yolanda in a hug, maybe chatted about what she did in the preschool.

But now Teresa didn’t want to do that. After a moment just standing there, she turned and headed straight upstairs.

This wasn’t her first time crashing here. She knew the place had a room for her and she could wash up and turn in.

Yolanda kept playing with her cards, but her eyes kept flicking toward Teresa out of the corner of her eye.

When she saw Teresa just standing there by the dinner table, lost in thought, Yolanda figured she was working up the nerve to apologize.

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