Seeing Sarah’s expression, a sharp sadness rose in my chest, but I still explained, “I didn’t kill the goose beforehand in case it wasn’t fresh enough. I planned to slaughter it right here so you could taste the freshest flavor.”
“And these vegetables aren’t dirty at all; they’re all homegrown and perfectly fresh.”
Halfway through my words, I noticed the feathers scattered on the floor and went to the kitchen to find a rag to clean them up.
“Mrs. Adams, which rag is for the floor? I’ll wipe this up.”
I smiled and asked Mrs. Adams and David twice, yet they ignored me completely. David stared out the window, and Mrs. Adams kept eating sunflower seeds.
I reached for a rag on the shelf by the kitchen door and was about to crouch down to wipe the floor when Mrs. Adams suddenly shouted, “Hey!” rushing over to snatch the rag from my hand.
“This isn’t for wiping the floor, it’s for wiping the table! How could you use this like that?”
As she scolded me, she turned and grabbed another rag from the bathroom, tossing it to the floor by my feet.
“Use this one.”
I looked blankly at Sarah; the impatience and protectiveness in her eyes chilled me more than any insult from David.
Seeing me speechless, her eyes shifted to the tied chicken and goose at my feet, her tone softening slightly.
“If you want to take the vegetables back, go ahead. We don’t need them. Keep the chicken and goose; country poultry tastes good. I’ll make soup for Henry tomorrow to help him recover.”
As she spoke, she reached out to take the straw rope from my hand.
I instinctively stepped back, avoiding her hand.
“Since you don’t want these vegetables, fine, don’t take any. I’ll bring all of them back.” David sneered even deeper.
“Sure, take everything. They’re just a few scruffy chickens and geese. Who even needs that cheap stuff?”
Sarah frowned, her voice sinking.
“Mom, why are you being so stubborn? Is it worth making a fuss over something this small? Henry is still sleeping inside. Can’t you just cut me some slack?”
Her words shattered the last bit of hope I had in her.
I stayed silent, unwilling to argue anymore. I gathered my things, turned around, and walked toward the door.
When I reached the bottom of the building, I took out my phone. My fingers were numb from the cold, and it took several tries to dial Michael’s number.
I barely managed to say “Hello” before my throat tightened, making me unable to continue.