Antonio was distracted throughout the anniversary celebration. He kept regretting that he hadn’t comforted Grace last night. In the afternoon, he came to the school to pick up Grace. Laney told him Grace was working overtime. However, by the time all the teachers had left, there was still no sign of Grace.
“Excuse me, has the English teacher, Grace Parrish, already left?”
When the last teacher walked out, Antonio hurriedly approached and asked.
The teacher thought for a moment and replied, “You mean Ms. Parrish? She resigned yesterday.”
Antonio couldn’t believe what he’d heard and asked again but received the same answer. Why would she resign suddenly? He called Grace, but the call wouldn’t go through. He felt parched, unable to even speak. What was she doing? Panicked, Antonio called Laney.
“Laney, is your sister–in–law at home?”
Laney took a moment to process and then realized her brother was asking about Grace.
“You’re not married to her. She’s not my sister–in–law.”
“I’m asking if Grace is at home.”
Antonio’s anger came through the phone, making Laney tremble. She knew her brother was really mad.
“She’s not home.”
Antonio hung up the phone, thinking back on Grace’s strange behavior lately. She must have planned to leave for a while. She had no family, so where could she possibly go? Antonio kicked the tire of his car in frustration. He’d planned to give Grace some money if she wanted to leave or treat her like family if she wanted to stay. But Grace just left without a word.
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