15

15

"Farrell is a boy I've watched grow up, and I trust his character," Mrs.Nancy stepped forward, defending my honor.

"Maybe you should take a look in the mirror. What would Farrell, a young man, want to do with you?"

"Could it be you're the one having dirty dreams?"

I couldn't help but admire Mrs.Nancy's sharp tongue, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

Someone in the crowd stifled a laugh behind their hand.

"Farrell said he was going to call the cops. Why didn't you let him? Feeling guilty, are we?"

Mother-in-law's face turned beet red, then quickly drained of all color. My wife, standing beside her, looked just as pale.

Suddenly, my wife tugged at Mother-in-law's arm. "Mom, let's go. They're just bullying us because we're on our own."

Overcome with guilt, my wife and Mother-in-law fled the scene.

Mrs.Nancy came over and patted my shoulder, her words full of sincerity.