The Supreme Soldier in the City

Sandra was unusually well-behaved tonight. Before dinner, she was on her best behavior; during dinner, she ate quietly and properly. Once she finished, she went straight back to her bedroom, shut the door, and even locked it from the inside.

Lucy Campbell also left after dinner. As a smart woman, she knew when it was time to leave—staying around at this moment would only make John Brown feel uncomfortable.

Gina Lopez walked over to knock on her sister’s door and said, "Sandra, what’s with locking the door?"

"I’m sleepy. I’m going to bed!" Sandra replied from inside.

"It’s not even that late, and you’re already going to bed?"

"I’m just tired today, okay? Is that not allowed?"

"Open the door. You still have to get a massage."

"Nope, I’m not doing it. I’m sleeping now."

Sandra stubbornly refused to open the door, which infuriated Gina. She shouted, "Come out this instant! We tried taking you to a massage parlor and you wouldn’t go. We found someone to massage you at home, and you refused. Now your brother-in-law is offering to do it himself, and you still won’t cooperate. What do you want? Do you need to cripple yourself and make Mom and Dad worry themselves sick before you’re happy?"

Inside, Sandra suddenly went silent. Still upset, Gina continued yelling, "Are you coming out or not? If you don’t open the door, I won’t care about you anymore. Do whatever you want!"

Finally, the door creaked open. With her lips pouting and her head hanging low, Sandra appeared, fiddling nervously with the hem of her shirt, looking like a child who had done something wrong. She mumbled, "See, I’m out now."