She stops short on seeing me with Dwight. “Oh!” “Hi, Mrs. Butler,” I say timidly, smiling politely to her. She looks … I don’t know how to describe it exactly. She’s obviously quite young, and her hair is a dark auburn with some graying strands, but her face looks so much older; it’s like she’s worn down. Tired. She’s slim, and wearing jeans and a pink sweater. Her hair’s tied back in a ponytail and her cheeks are flushed. I heard the front door open and close a minute ago; I guess she’s been out somewhere. “I didn’t realize we had company,” she says apologetically to me, and shoots Dwight an irritated look. “You must be Madison, right?” “Right,” I say with a broad smile. “Nice to meet you.” “You’ll have to forgive me for being such a bad hostess; Dwight didn’t say you were here. You’re staying for dinner, though, aren’t you?” “If it isn’t too much trouble … I don’t want to intrude.” I mumble it slightly, but I’m still smiling at her.
