Sonia's mother looked at the woman with tears in her eyes, "Marie, I don't mean anything else. We just came to retrieve some clothes. Winter is coming. Well just take the clothes. I know that we owe you a few months' rent, it’s understandable that you want to keep these things from us, but our clothes are worthless. Just let us take them, since you have no use for them anyway. At least we can survive this winter with them."
The woman snorted, "Just take it. Don't try to make me take pity on you. I have seen many poor people in my life. Everyone is struggling in the mud just to live. If you want your clothes, just take them and get out of here. Don't think about living here if you can’t pay the rent. I am still in a hurry to rent it to other people!"
Sonia's mother nodded and began rummaging for their clothes in the small yard. Sonia's father squatted on the ground with tearful eyes, but we didn't know what he was looking at. The lights were too dim and it seemed like he was staring at a photo.
"Mrs. Sanders!" I said, walking into the small yard.
Hearing my voice, Sonia's mother gazed at us. She stared blankly for a while and said, "Mrs. Roberts,
Mr. Roberts, why are you here?"
As I spoke, I crossed my hands together, feeling a little embarrassed. I smiled faintly and replied, "Hendrix and I were worried about you, so we came to have a look."
"I'm sorry that you had to see that!" Sonia's mother was a little awkward.
I knew that no one would be willing to show their vulnerabilities to other people, even if they had no way out.
I said nothing more. I looked at the landlady and asked, "Both of them are getting old. Is there a house on the first floor?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: My Pretty Sweetheart