The Angelmaker

Lucille listened to the woman babble.

"Little Mary won't stop coughing! Charles is useless and there's nothing to eat. I don't know what to do!"

Lucille felt a pang of pity. She knew this woman. They went to church together; her, her husband and their five children.

Lucille filled a tiny bottle. "Here." She pressed it gently into the woman's palm.

The woman stared at it, gawking. Then, slowly, her fingers folded over the bottle.

"This will help her sleep?" The woman's voice was hoarse -

Decisive.

Lucille smiled beatifically.

"Like an angel."

*

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*

Thank you for lingering.