Page 25 - ThreeGiftsForFlipBook

“Are you Adam and Elizabeth Johnson’s son?” “Yes,” Sam answered, surprised that Mary knew his parents. “They are good people. It’s no wonder you volunteered to help at the Women’s Crisis Center.” Sam looked at the ground embarrassed. “I didn’t exactly volunteer.” Mary seemed surprised. “Oh?” “Well I was...” Sam paused. He remembered the gash on Emily’s face and how he was mad at Emily’s father for hurting her, and yet in his own unthoughtful way perhaps he had hurt her too. He thought about his sister who was almost Emily’s age and how angry he would be if someone injured her. He also thought about how Mary knew his parents. Somehow all those things brought it too close to home. “Oh, never mind. I’m just glad I could help out.” Mary smiled kindly. “Me too.” They had finally reached Ironwood Drive. There was a smell of smoke from the factories. Everything seemed grey and colorless, like stepping back in time into a black and white photograph. Most of the houses and apartment buildings were old and run down, many with boards over their windows. Some looked abandoned. Sam thought his arms were about to break when they finally came to an apartment building that he 20