"Nonsense!" Mrs. Quinn shouted tremulously, her voice resonant and strong, nothing like the frail image of someone about to breathe their last.
Noah Quinn and his mother stood dumbfounded, seemingly still processing Lucas Quinn's words, so much so that Mrs. Quinn's speech to them went unheard.
"Noah, take your mom out!" Mrs. Quinn hurled a pillow toward them.
Noah was startled as if awakened, then stiffly turned his neck to look at Mrs. Quinn, asking woodenly, "Grandma, is what my brother said true?"
"Brat! Do you believe anything your brother says?! Get out!" Mrs. Quinn scolded sharply, clearly enraged, her fingers trembling.
"Noah, let's go out," Noah heard his mother say softly, seemingly frightened.
Noah lowered his eyes, suppressed his emotions, and led his mother out, closing the door and standing outside.
"Noah, do you think what your brother said is true?" Noah's mother asked, still anxious after hearing such a big secret.
