A woman’s neighbor showed up on her doorstep to ask her for a favor — she wanted her to watch her three kids, then she died.
It began with the shriek of the doorbell. It was a cloudy evening, and Beth had been in her kitchen preparing dinner for herself, her husband, and their four kids.
When she heard the doorbell ring, she took some time to wash her hands and take off her apron; Beth did not like wearing it outside the kitchen.
Debbie went to her neighbor’s to ask if she could bring her kids. | Photo: Shutterstock
She opened the door and was welcomed with the back view of her neighbor — after having waited a minute, the woman had turned around to leave.
“Hey Debbie, sorry, I was busy in the kitchen,” Beth offered by way of explanation.
“It’s fine,” Debbie told her.
Beth took one look at her and started worrying about her health; she looked very tired and sickly. Debbie had always been beautiful with a curvy physique, but that day she looked tired and unwell.
“Are you okay?” Beth was prompted to ask.
“I’m glad you asked. I need to know too which is why I have to get to the hospital. I need you to help me watch the kids till I return. Can I bring them over?” Debbie said, breathless by the time she finished talking.
Beth opened the door to find her neighbor Debbie leaving. | Photo: Getty Images
“Of course, of course, you can count on me Debbie, you know that,” Beth said, already thinking of the economics of taking in three kids in addition to her own four.
Debbie did not return to collect her kids later that day. Beth’s husband, Albert, was not happy about it. His house was overcrowded, and the kids, who ranged from six to sixteen, were very loud kids.
The next morning, Beth was up at the crack of dawn to make food for the kids and her husband. The kids ate like termites — another thing Albert did not like because it meant they had to spend more to replenish their supplies.
After breakfast, he joined Beth in their small car, and they made their way to the hospital closest to their house, assuming Debbie would not have gone farther....