Chapter101TheySpecificallyAskedForHer
Emelie’shometownwasatowncalledAlderbrook
Inrecentyears,withthevigorousdevelopmentoftourismacrossthecountry,Alderbrookhadtransformed intoaculturaltown,attractingmanytouristsfroCarrageenans couldbeusedtomakejellies,Chillingthemintherefrigeratorwouldmakethemarefreshingandcoolingtreattoeatinthe
summer.
Emelieusedto<b>love</b>eatingjelly,andGretawouldoftengoouttopickcarrageenanstomakeit
Butsinceshelefthome,shehadn’thadthisjellyinyears.motherces.
Overall,itwasnotconsideredbackward.
Herhomewasinanalleywherecarscouldn’tenter.Withtwobagsofstuffinhand,Emeliearrivedatthegateofherhouseafter being<b>away</b>forthreeyears.
Thegatewasopen.Insuchalleys,itwamonfordoorstobeleftopenduringthedaywithout<b>much</b>concernforsafety.Emeliehesitatedabouthowtoapproachthem,whatexpressiontowearwhensheentered,andhowtogreetthem.
Justasshewasabouttoenter,someonecameoutofthehouse.Sheinstinctivelyhidbehindthewall
Shestealthilypeekedoutandsawthat<b>it</b>washermother,Greta.
Gretawasholding<b>red</b>seaweeds<b>and</b>washingthemunderthetapatthedoor.Emelierecognizedthem.
Thosewerecarrageenans.
Justas<b>she</b>waslostinthought,sheheardaloudbang
ItwasRomaingoutofthehouse,SeeingGretawashingthecarrageenans,hewasfuriousandkickedthebasin.
thatan
areyoudoingwiththesethings?Ifyouhavesomuchfreetime,gofindawaytomakemoney<b>.</b>Don’tyouknowhowmuchmoney<b>you</b>needforyourillness?”
Emeliewassuddenlystunned.Whatillness?ShehadnoideathatGretawassick.
ShecarefullyobservedGreta.
Injustthreeyears,Gretahadindeedlookedmucholderandthinner.
Shewassittingonasmallstoolinayellowedwhitesweater,staringndyatthespilledcarrageenans
Shepickedupthecarrageenansandputthembackinthebasin<b>while</b>saying,“I<b>know</b>.That’s<b>why</b>ItoldyouthatI’mnotseekingtreatment.
“I’llliveaslongasIcan.IfIdie,justburnmeorburyme.It’snobigdeal.”
Ronanwasfurious.“Damnit!Ifyoudie,it’sareliefforyou.Butwhataboutme?
“Doyouwantmetolivewithguiltfortherestofmylife?Howcanyoubesoselfish?
“IaskedyoutocallEmelieformoney,butyouneverdid!Allyoudoismessaroundwith theseworthlessthings!”
HekickedoverthecarrageenansthatGretahadjustpickedup.
Gretadidn’twanttoarguewithhim,butshecouldn’thelpit.
“CallEmelieformoney?Howdareyou?Haveyouforgottenhowwetreatedher<b>back</b>then?Shehatesus!”
Emeliepressedherlipstogether,feelinplicated.
As<b>Greta</b>recalledthepast,herheartached,andheremotionswereinturmoil.Shechokedup.
<b>“</b>Can’tyouimaginehowshegotthosethreemilliondors?Can’tyouimaginewhatkindof1she’slivingnow?Howcanyoustillbeartoaskherformoney?<b>”</b>
en,thosepeoplespecificallyaskedforher.<b>What</b>couldIdo?”
Ronanwasembarrassed.“Backthen…Backthen,
Gretapressedonherchestandgaspedforbreath.“Iwon’tcallher.I’vetoldhernottebackandbedraggeddownbythisfamilyagain.
“I’dratherdiethantakehermoney.Hermoneyisallearned inexchangeforherlife.I…L”
Beforeshecouldfinishherwords,shecopsedtotheground.
Romanwasshocked.“Gretal”
Enelledidn’thavetimetothinkabout anythingelse.
Chapter101TheySpecificallyAskedForHer
Sherushedout,shouting,“Mom!”
Ronanwasshockedto<b>see</b>her.“Emelie?Emelie!”
EmeliekneeledbesideGretaandtriedtofeelherbreath,buttherewasnone.
SheleaneddowntolistentoGreta’sheartbeat,buttherewasnoneeither.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Tearsfloweddownhercheeksinstantly.Shecrossedher hands andbegantoperformCPRonGreta.“Canambnce!Now!”