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?"

her hands moving with practiced grace. "I'm not heading home. I need to buy some materials-could you drop me at the fabric market

paper cuttings?"

smiled and

cutting designs. Your house has a classic look-if I use ordinary paper, it just wouldn't

moved with effortless elegance, her fingers nimble and wrists poised, making her sign language almost look

himself looking forward to seeing her

from her

projects. Now, it seemed, she had blended

even

market, but instead of leaving, he got out

to wave him off, insisting she

with the sellers.

letting

inside when

Lawson was carefully inspecting

a confrontation, Jessica ducked down another

twins,

brother, Sallie was single-a hard-charging career woman. After college, she'd used her degree to launch a boutique fashion label, now