There was always the worry that she'd give someone lung cancer if she smoked around them, so she always stayed far away from people who were within her area especially Alice or Wendy. She generally smoked at home or outside, even when places of business allowed her to smoke inside, she opted to stay out. She didn't want that on her conscious, that someone got sick because of her, even in a town where most people's time was on a limit. Just a matter of time in the death department.
The silence continued even after he question. Alice to her, always seemed to pick and choose her words wisely. She knew the girl was a quiet type. The quiet ones always thought about what they needed to say before they said it, instead of blurting out whatever came to mind. It was good to be cautious in Ethel's opinion, it meant less trouble in life for you and above all safety from all types of things that might go against you in the end.
She gave a small nod, inhaling smoke and exhaling in the opposite direction. “They always go by fast whenever it's getting closer. Sadly. I'd like to think the town will eventually stop torturing us and all others that come in through here, but I doubt it.” She had long since grown used to hell seasons, she was hardly scared anymore. Whatever the town threw at her was less terrifying each time. Though she still felt somber that they could never celebrate Christmas on the usual day and it always had to be in Febuary. It didn't stop people from shopping before the hell months though, so they could celebrate right away. Something to take their minds off what was about to take place.
Smiling she chuckled. “The joys of raising a teenager, honey. They're going to sneak out and do whatever to piss you off. I never got to see my kids turn into teenagers but I was prepared for that when it came down to it. Did she get mad at you and throw a fit?”