Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica hesitated, unsure if she should hand her phone to Herbert.

But Herbert had already slipped it from her grasp.

He tapped away in the app store, quickly downloading a new app.

After a moment, he typed a line into the app: "Little Mute, how does this voice sound?"

A stranger's female voice came from somewhere nearby.

"Do you like it?"

He typed again, the same gentle voice repeating his words.

Jessica realized the sound was coming from the necklace.

Her eyes lit up with surprise. She had never seen a necklace like this-it was fascinating.

And the voice sounded eerily similar to her own, as if it carried echoes of her past.

Jessica hadn't been born mute.

Herbert handed her phone back to her.

"With this app, you just type what you want to say," he explained. "The software can mimic your tone, too. And the more you use it, the more natural it gets."

Jessica's heart skipped. The prospect was tempting.

language. Herbert only knew it because, after they'd reconnected, he'd begged her

everyone else, she had to scribble notes or type messages on

it would speak for her-no more awkward moments or delays waiting for someone to read her words. It would save her

diamond this size couldn't

into her phone: "It's too valuable. I can't accept

but her own cadence and inflection—exactly the way she imagined herself

just a replica. I was worried you'd be

Jessica typed, "How much was it? Let me pay

haven't seen each other in years, and you're quibbling over a little gift? Are

letting his kindness stand and

get some rest," Herbert said, gathering his things. "Just remember-don't get the necklace

nodded, waving goodbye and watching

street,

had barely stepped inside when a warm, strong hand caught

Jessica looked up.

Timothy's, his gaze brooding

pressed against his solid

the box with the necklace

one hand trapped, she couldn't even

lid with his thumb, studying

the ring he had once