Her legs faltered as she advanced, and their eyes! They were charged with animus and she could feel every appalling hatred and reproach in them. They atomized her. She thought of attempting a back-track, but when she saw the smile on her son's lips, she chose to proceed- for him, for his sake.
She lifted her woeful face and conferred a fleeting glimpse at Simon. His countenance admonished her for her flaws much more than his tongue could and seeing him, tears streamed down her cheeks. What could she tell him? How could she explain? She came forward and stood in front of him unable to speak. She would have grabbed him and held him close in her arms, embraced him, kissed him but she was annihilated by fear and remorse.
Tears escaped Simon's eyes, one after another. He was hurt because he
