Chapter 12

Somewhere in Texas, in the morning, Mr. Smith was getting ready after his bath in preparation for church service. He stood in front of his closet, looking thoughtful, with no idea where his silky violet tie was. "My dear, do you have any idea where my tie is?" he asked his wife for help.

Mrs. Smith hurriedly finished styling her hair, already dressed in a blue blouse. She glanced at her husband, Mr. Smith, who stood nearby, almost ready for the day.

Seeing his disheveled tie on the floor, she couldn't help but think, 'Oh Smith, you're terrible at finding things.' She quickly picked up the tie and dusted it off, making sure there were no dirt or stains on it. With gentle hands, she fixed the tie around her husband's neck.

"Here, you look sweet," she said, patting his chest softly.

Mr. Smith smiled and walked over to the mirror, confirming the teasing from his dear wife. Feeling better about his appearance, he turned to her and said, "Thank you."

As Mrs. Smith returned to styling her hair, her husband began chatting with her. "Yesterday, you spent quite a ton of time at your friend's place. Looks like you both had a lot to say."

Mr. Smith's voice hinted at his desire for a little gossip, a common pastime for both of them. Their conversations about others always livened up their household.

Mrs. Smith exhaled, well aware of her husband's playful nature. She knew that sharing stories about people was their way of staying connected and keeping their conversations lively. As she applied some liquid texture to her hair, she began to talk relentlessly.

"Nothing much, we chatted about many things, but one thing that was on Martha's tongue the whole time was Hanna," Mrs. Smith replied.

"Hmm!" Mr. Smith hummed with deep interest. "What did she say about Hanna? For all I know, she's a smart child."

Mrs. Smith turned around, her face displaying a mix of confusion and concern. "No, yes, of course, she's a very smart child. But lately, I don't understand the hate her mother is harboring for her. I just don't get it... It hasn't been like that. Martha was out of control; she almost couldn't control herself when it came to Hanna's matters..."

Mrs. Smith trailed off, lost in her thoughts, as she continued to style her hair. Her husband listened attentively, waiting for her to continue.

"It's just that Martha used to dote on Hanna, always proud of her achievements and praising her talents. But now, it's like a switch has been flipped. She criticizes Hanna at every turn, finding faults where there aren't any. It's as if she's deliberately trying to belittle her own daughter," Mrs. Smith explained, her voice tinged with concern.

Mr. Smith furrowed his brows, deep in thought. "That's strange. I wonder what could have caused such a change in Martha's behavior towards Hanna. Have you tried talking to her about it?"

Mrs. Smith sighed and shook her head. "I haven't. I didn't want to pry too much, but it's been bothering me. I can't help but worry about the impact this might have on Hanna. She's such a bright and talented girl; she deserves love and support from her own mother."

Mr. Smith walked over to his wife and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I understand your concern, my dear. If it continues to bother you, maybe it's worth reaching out to Martha and offering a listening ear. Sometimes people just need someone to talk to, to help them sort through their own feelings."

Mrs. Smith nodded, grateful for her husband's understanding and advice. "You're right. Maybe it's time I have a heart-to-heart with Martha. After all, friends are there for each other in good times and bad."

Mr. Smith smiled warmly. "Exactly. And I know you'll handle it with grace and compassion, as you always do."

Feeling supported by her husband's words, Mrs. Smith continued to style her hair, contemplating the upcoming conversation with her friend.

She hoped that by extending a listening ear, she could help Martha navigate through whatever turmoil she was experiencing and restore the loving bond between mother and daughter.