Jerry tipped the kid and took the groceries into the kitchen while
Helen read the note.
Miss Hamilton,
I am so sorry for my son?s appalling behavior toward
you at the market today, and I ask that you accept these
few things I?ve sent, even if you are unable to accept an
apology. I understand what it is to try to put dinner on the
table with no groceries, although apparently my Lucas
does not.
Noel Delos
Helen stared at the page for far longer than it took to read it. She
was touched by the gesture. It was a ridiculously decent thing to
do. Helen got the impression that there was something different
about Noel Delos, but she had no idea what it was.
?What does she mean, ?appalling behavior,? Lennie?? Jerry asked,
reading over her shoulder. Helen could see outrage beginning to
build in him. ?What did that Lucas kid do to you now??
?No, Dad,
it?s okay. She?s exaggerating,? Helen said, trying to
make as little of it as possible.
?Then we can?t accept these. This is over a hundred dollars worth
of groceries,? he argued.
?Oh, for crying out loud!? Helen moaned at the ceiling. She took a
deep breath and launched into an explanation. ?Okay, you win. Lucas
and I had another fight today at the market, but it was a small
one. In comparison, at least. Anyway, the point is that he started it
and I couldn?t go shopping like I needed to and one of the other
Delos kids must have told his mom that I didn?t do my shopping
74/395
and she took it the wrong way and sent all these groceries because