Normally, Molly would have bristled at being referred to as “love,” but now she was only tired. Her day was finally catching up with her. She was travel-weary and tired of always saying – and doing – the wrong thing. It wasn’t worth fighting over, and she didn’t want to hurt Abby’s feelings again. Instead, she gazed down at her bowl of neglected stew. She took a quick bite and hoped Abby wouldn’t interpret it as a dismissal, just her picking at her food – which at least had the convenience of being true. Still she chewed and swallowed quickly so that she could respond to what Abby had said.
“Well. I, for one, am glad that you can use the help.” Molly smiled and hoped that Abby would see that she really meant it too.