<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #FFFF00">Marianne</span> waved back to Jared and smiled. She really liked the boy, and considered him a bit like the grandson she would never have. After making her offer of chicken broth, the woman waited patiently for Danielle's reply. She had offered it sincerely, as she had a lot of free time and a big heart, with all her flaws.<br/><br/>Once Danielle accepted her offer, Marianne showed a broad smile. “Oh, I don’t mind at all, dear, it’s not as though I lead a very busy life”, she replied cheerfully. Despite her words, she did lead a somewhat busy life, always going from here to there and helping whoever she could. <br/><br/>After saying these words, the woman excused herself. She hoped to be able to get the broth and come back before the rain started pouring.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">**************************************</div><br/><span style="color: #FFFF00">Mrs. Warrender</span>, back at Ethan's garage, hoped that she wouldn't take too long to get home. It seemed like there would be quite a shower, and she liked being dry. When Ethan said he had needed to replace the window, the woman sighed. She was upset only because she didn't like spending money, but she trusted Ethan. <br/><br/>“Oh, well, son. What has to be done, has to be done”, she replied in her usual intonation.  Checking the price, she nodded and took her checkbook, filling the check for the price Ethan had told her about. If that was the price, that was the price. <br/><br/>“Don’t look so grim, sweetie”, she said, patting Ethan’s cheek gently. “I know you did the best you could for me. Thank you, dear”. After these words, the woman took the keys and smiled. “See you next time, son. Have a great day!”, she said as a farewell before making her way to her car to go home, already getting a little wet as the rain was already pouring.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">**************************************</div><br/>Back in the school, the teacher who was filling in for Elena, <span style="color: #FFFF00">Miss Jones</span>, sighed. She had promised to do her best, but it was hard to do your best when your students are devoted to bothering you. She shook her head, resenting Miss Ellie a little. Her students acted as though she was some sort of saint. <br/><br/>When Sarah raised her hand, the woman counted to ten silently. "Yes?", she asked as politely as she could. "May I help you, dear?", the woman added, trying hard not to let out how pissed she was to be thrown in a room with Elena's <span style="font-style: italic">little monsters</span>.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">**************************************</div><br/>As Mrs. Warrender left the garage, <span style="color: #FFFF00">Elena</span> had decided she would stop by there, because it was raining way too much to walk home. Elena loved walking, and she didn’t make a lot of money for a car. She might have been able to afford it, but living close to work and pretty much everywhere she needed to go, the young woman felt it would be a waste.<br/><br/>Yet, she had been at the garage a few times, always to talk about the children. In the first weeks when she had started teaching Sarah and Alan, Elena had needed to visit Ethan several times for long conversations. Now, though, she was really happy with the improvement at the children’s behavior. Now, though, she was there simply to find shelter for a few moments.<br/><br/>Despite being soaking wet, Elena seemed more cheerful than she had been just a while ago. Probably the rain had improved her mood. “Good morning, Mr. Black!”, she greeted. “May I bother you a little for shelter from the rain?”, the young woman asked, trying to get some water off her hair. “I hope it won’t be long, but I can’t make any promises”, she completed, with a somewhat awkward smile. She should have been at school, after all, hadn’t it been for her personal appointment.</div>