Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica sat beside her on the antique wooden settee.

The two of them faced each other across a small coffee table, which was scattered with all sorts of delicate paper cuttings.

"Jessica, I'm just not satisfied with any of these decorations," Latonia sighed. "It's

a pity your grandmother passed away years ago. The neighbors told me you're quite talented too. Could I trouble you to make some for me?"

Jessica nodded silently.

She didn't speak a word.

Latonia had heard from Herbert that Jessica still hadn't regained her voice.

Latonia led Jessica around the villa, asking her to help spot the best places for the decorations. Jessica took her time, studying the rooms, and snapped photos on her phone of the spots that needed some color.

Communicating in gestures and notes on her phone, Jessica let Latonia know she could finish everything in about two days.

Latonia, who hadn't seen Jessica in so long, insisted she stay for dinner.

Afterwards, Latonia had Herbert drive Jessica home.

Once Jessica climbed into the car, Herbert glanced over. "Where do you live?"

not heading home. I need to

For paper cuttings?"

smiled and signed

used for cutting designs. Your house has a classic

her fingers nimble and wrists

forward to seeing her

her grandmother as a child, often

projects. Now, it seemed, she had blended old traditions with a modern

she'd even surpassed her

market, but instead of leaving, he got out to follow

tried to wave him off,

the

letting him

inside when Jessica

Lawson was carefully inspecting bolts

confrontation, Jessica ducked down

Timothy were twins,

single-a hard-charging career woman. After college, she'd used her degree to launch a boutique fashion label, now with stores all over the