Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Once upon a time, she had wanted so much.

For love, she had chosen to step back from the fast lane.

Now, with her days quietly ticking away, Jessica found herself afraid to hope for

more.

She gave a helpless smile, then used sign language to express her thoughts.

"Jessica says she doesn't have the energy to show her work to more people right now, but if someone is interested, she can still design something for them."

Latonia beamed. "That's wonderful. I've had a few friends over recently-they all asked about my window decorations and wall art, wanted to know where I got them. One of these days, I'll introduce you. You could make a little extra money."

"Mom." Herbert cut her off.

Jessica was married to Timothy, after all.

"Jessica's work is beautiful. It's her passion-she's not doing it for the money."

I should pay her.

hand, her tone gentle. "If you need to take care of your husband and child and don't have much spare time, you could make

portrait, Latonia thought Jessica's work was more than mere craft.

nature, deserved

to

pressed for time and doesn't have the energy for

Skills like Jessica's were rare enough—and work at this level, rarer

sighed. "Does your husband never help at home? Is that why you're always so

a fleeting sadness to Jessica's lovely eyes. She

make time for his family. You can't speak-everyday errands and social visits must take you longer, and you have to work harder. As your husband, he should

shook her head, waving

a few simple decorations-how could she accept

card back into Jessica's hand.

least this much.

of her, too, hoped the money would make Jessica's life a little