Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy, for his part, hadn't even shown the slightest hint of anger.

Sallie, clearly dissatisfied, shot Jessica a dramatic eyeroll before turning back to Timothy. "Timothy, maybe you don't know this yet, but on Grandpa's birthday, I saw her at the fabric market. She was with some guy, laughing and looking awfully cozy with him..."

Timothy fixed his gaze on Sallie, his eyes cold as frost. His lips, sharp as if carved from marble, pressed into a hard, silent line.

Realizing she'd pushed too far, Sallie clammed up immediately.

She'd acted on impulse-again.

Men care about their pride, after all. And Jessica, being mute, made any talk of

her cheating even more humiliating for Timothy.

She shouldn't have blurted it out so recklessly.

Timothy broke eye contact, reaching over to take Jessica's hand.

Jessica tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding.

Sallie just gaped.

Even now, Timothy was taking Jessica home?

and got in himself. He didn't spare Sallie

twisted in

after a moment's thought, she reasoned that Timothy, with his composure, would never argue with Jessica in public. He'd probably wait until they were home to deal

into her own car, intent on following to see

***

Timothy brought Jessica home.

gently guiding her to sit at the edge of the

his features striking; watching him communicate in sign language,

it. Jessica could hear perfectly well —she just didn't speak. He and his father knew sign only so they

morning-sorry. I was up all night

Jessica hesitated.

the first time Timothy had ever explained himself to

quickly steeled herself. It

responded in sign: "Let's get

and turbulent.

turning

he liked it. Divorce had never even crossed his mind. Their son was already six; everything

couldn't understand why Jessica was suddenly