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?"

moving with practiced grace. "I'm not heading home. I need to buy some

paper cuttings?"

smiled and signed

lots of materials can be used for cutting designs. Your house

fingers nimble and wrists poised, making her sign language

found himself looking forward to

learned the craft from her grandmother as a child, often lending

Now, it seemed, she had blended old traditions with a

she'd even surpassed her

at the fabric market, but instead of leaving, he got

off,

speak—it'll be hard to communicate with the sellers. Let me help with

relented, letting him tag

had barely stepped inside when Jessica spotted Timothy's

Lawson was carefully

confrontation, Jessica ducked down

Timothy were twins,

brother, Sallie was single-a hard-charging career woman. After college, she'd used her