62: Confessions

Stephen knew better than to tempt Hilda Cavill. The woman was a force to reckon with. He hurriedly dressed in the clothes she had chosen for him and sauntered back into the kitchen. The drifting aromas assaulted his nostrils from the stairs, making his stomach ramble.

“Sit,” Hilda ordered. Stephen did as he was told, and the fussing woman served him a plateful, demanding he empty it. Without protesting, Stephen dug in. It was the most delicious meal he had ever had to his starved stomach. Though he took a while, he eventually cleared the plate. Hilda gave him an encouraging smile before serving him a freshly squeezed watermelon juice. She knew it was his favorite. He couldn't have been more grateful. Hilda, put the used utensils in the dishwasher before leading him to the messy living room and sank beside him.

After a brief silence, she blurted. “What happened?” Stephen didn't have to ask her to elaborate. He knew exactly what his ex-fiance's mother wanted to know. He was surprised