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?

the backseat, and

twisted

she reasoned that Timothy, with his composure, would never argue with Jessica in public. He'd probably wait until they were

into her own car, intent on following to see

***

Timothy brought Jessica home.

her to sit at the edge of the bed. Then he knelt in front of her, his

striking; watching him communicate in sign language, he was

sign language, but rarely used it. Jessica could hear perfectly well —she just didn't speak. He and his

the words: "About this morning-sorry. I was up all night with

Jessica hesitated.

Timothy had ever explained

quickly steeled herself. It

sign: "Let's get

over Timothy's eyes, dark and turbulent. His brow furrowed

stood, turning away

unnecessary words, and he despised drama. Their life since marrying had been peaceful-just the way he liked it. Divorce

understand why Jessica was suddenly making