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?"

practiced grace. "I'm not heading home. I need to buy some materials-could you drop me

cuttings?" Herbert was

and signed

cutting designs. Your house has a

her fingers nimble and wrists poised, making her

himself looking forward to seeing her finished

her grandmother as a child, often lending

it seemed, she had blended old

even surpassed her

dropped her off at the fabric market, but instead of leaving, he

to wave him off,

be hard to communicate with the sellers. Let me help with the signing," Herbert

letting him

had barely stepped inside when

was carefully inspecting

a confrontation, Jessica

and Timothy were twins, both

she'd used her degree to launch a