Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy arched an eyebrow, staring irritably at the razor in his hand.

"Whatever. I'll just make do."

After Henry got up, father and son sat down together for breakfast.

Henry had barely tasted his chicken noodle soup before he grimaced and called out, "Mom, did you put too much salt in this?"

No answer.

He tried again, a little louder. "Mom?"

Timothy replied calmly, "Stop calling, your mom isn't home."

Immediately, Henry tapped at his smartwatch, trying to call Jessica, but her phone was switched off.

Lowering his voice, Henry said, "Dad, do you think Mom's upset and ran away?"

"She didn't."

With both him and their son at home, Timothy was certain Jessica wouldn't just leave.

"Good. I still think Mom's breakfasts taste better, though."

Neither of them really enjoyed the meal that morning; it just didn't compare to what they were used to.

"Dad, last night Mom made Miss Sheila so mad she left. Is she coming to see me today?"

"She twisted her ankle and is in the hospital. She probably won't be able to visit today."

face tightened with worry. "Oh no, Miss Sheila hurt her foot? That must really hurt. Dad, can you call school for me?

tone was firm.

to push further, and mumbled, "Can I

"That's fine."

slid off his chair, ran over, and flung his arms around Timothy, standing on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his

school, come pick me up early, okay? So we can go visit

stood up, personally

Normally, Mrs. Williams took care of the room herself, so it was

window to let in

place was immaculate, she still

the wind

bed, a cancer diagnosis letter was

had

up the

phone, wanting nothing more

just the relief of having nothing to worry about for once, but she slept deeply didn't wake until eight in the

her phone back

it chimed nonstop with text

checked her texts first—several missed calls, some from Timothy,

was probably

the past, she'd have called back instantly to

just let

were also two bank notifications-Timothy had transferred

humorless laugh. He needed her out of the way

her two messages-one from the