On the way home, she saw someone selling flowers. Doing a double-take she recognized Alison. She spoke out loud. "I've got to do something."

After the car was parked, she headed back down the block to where Alison stood with her flowers. Alison hadn't seen her yet. She was speaking to a customer. "All money goes to cancer research." He smiled at her and bought a bouquet of bright red carnations. Alison was smiling blissfully.

Then she caught sight of Mary.

"You."

She backed away.

"Alison, wait."

"Stay away from me."

"Please listen."

"You're . . . you're a child of the devil."

Mary hadn't seen the van approaching. Its sliding side door opened. Alison leapt in without a further word. The door was slammed shut. There were no windows so everyone inside was entirely hidden from view.

Mary turned her back to the departing vehicle. There was nothing she could do.

We all do damage unwittingly.

The trick is to face those mistakes and grow from them.

She headed towards the car where Ben was waiting for her.



THE END!