Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Mabel, thank you for always caring about me. It's just... this family doesn't need me anymore."

Mabel stared at the message glowing on her phone screen, her heart sinking. Mrs. Carter must have overheard what young Henry said earlier.

She hurried to reply, "Please, Mrs. Carter, don't overthink it."

A bitter, weary smile tugged at the corners of Jessica's lips.

It wasn't just in her head. She really had seen it all with her own eyes.

"Oh, that's right!" Mabel suddenly remembered what happened after Henry came home from school. She quickly added, "Mrs. Carter, you're still very important to Henry. When he got back from school today and saw what you brought home, he realized it was a ring—a ring Mr. Carter bought especially for you at the Oakwood charity auction. It was his way of showing he cares. Henry was afraid if you returned it, Mr. Carter would be upset, so he asked me to help him keep it a secret from his dad."

Mabel hoped this might persuade Jessica to stay.

Jessica looked at her, uncertain.

Mabel pressed on, "He's trying to protect you. Henry just had a fever, and when he needed someone, he called for you. Kids are so vulnerable when they're sick. He waited and waited, and when you didn't come, he might have said things he didn't mean. Please, don't take it to heart."

give way

young-too young to understand the complicated mess between adults. But he did know enough to want her and Timothy

was sick, she'd hesitated, unsure if she should go to him. But the moment she heard him calling out for her "Mom!"—she couldn't

maybe she would've arrived sooner. Maybe then Henry

only had six months left. No

to Mabel, letting her know she was going to the

out the door, hoping this visit would help mend things between Mrs. Carter

Timothy and Sheila were with Henry at the children's emergency room. While the doctor examined him, Sheila held Henry close, fussing over

a little high. After the checkup, the doctor recommended an

while later, a nurse came in with the medication for Henry's IV. To Henry's surprise, the nurse was his classmate's mother. She smiled and greeted

and said softly, "Be brave, Henry. It'll sting

clung to

not afraid—my mom's here with me," he