Page 224 - The Houseguest

UNEXPECTED VISIT
I couldn’t imagine who would be visiting when the guards came to alert me. They said it was a woman, but no name was given. I was shocked when I walked through the door and saw Laura Gabel standing there. She wore a conservative print dress and her hair was in a bun. Not sure of the intention of her visit, I approached her guardedly. If I was a dog, it would be the equivalent of walking with my tail between my legs.
As I got closer, I could see she had her head bowed. I couldn’t tell if she was crying or praying, but I assumed it was the latter knowing what little I did about her. “Mr. Richards, I don’t know if you remember me. My name is Laura Gabel and I am Brian Gabel’s sister.” She continued, “You and I both know you killed the wrong person. You intended to murder that woman, and yet your actions caused the death of a good man, stark opposite of the man you are. I am a Christian, and therefore must practice forgiveness. The reason I have not contacted you until now is because you have tested this act within me. Forgiveness, as I have been studying, is a deliberate decision to release resentment and vengeance. Perhaps my brother’s death was unintentional, but that won’t bring him back.”
I stood up to leave, “Ma’am, I appreciate that you’ve traveled all this way, but I do not intend to sit here and listen to your religious babble.” Just then, this 105 lb. woman seemed to transform into a miniature hulk. She stood looking up to me in an attempt to meet eye-to-eye, and firmly ordered me to: “SIT DOWN.” With that, I gave her the courtesy of a few more minutes of my time, though I would try to tune out as
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The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life