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

else, she had to scribble notes or

awkward moments or delays waiting

diamond this size couldn't

phone: "It's too valuable. I

matched not just her words, but her own cadence

necklace into her hand. "Silly, the diamond's just a replica. I was worried you'd

much was it? Let me pay

other in years, and you're quibbling over

kindness stand and typed two words:

get some rest," Herbert said, gathering his things. "Just remember-don't get the necklace wet, and try to get some sleep. Don't forget our

nodded, waving goodbye and

disappeared down the street, she

had barely stepped inside when a warm, strong hand caught her wrist, pinning her

Jessica looked up.

dark eyes met Timothy's, his

pressed against his solid

down, sliding the box with the necklace

couldn't speak, and with one hand

the lid with his thumb, studying the

the ring he had once bought a