Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert shot to his feet, gripping Sallie's arm tightly. His voice was sharp with anger. "What do you think you're doing?"

Jessica blinked water from her eyes, finally realizing that it was Sallie standing there.

Sallie winced-Herbert's grip was bruising her wrist.

She scowled, twisting and pulling, trying to wrench herself free. "You brute! You're hurting me. Do you even know who I am? Get your filthy hands off me!"

"I don't care who you are," Herbert snapped. "Apologize to her. Now!"

His temples pulsed with fury, and a pang of guilt gnawed at him. How had he let his guard down enough for someone to bully Little Mute-Jessica-right in front of him?

Jessica scrambled to her feet and hurriedly signed to Herbert, her hands moving fast. "Let her go. She's Timothy's sister."

Herbert's grip loosened just enough for Sallie to yank her arm free. She immediately raised a hand, winding up to slap him.

in to stop

slap landed squarely-on Jessica

her anger, and bright

at her own hand in a brief, panicked daze. She

hide. He hated the idea of ever raising a hand to a woman, but if anyone hurt

Herbert tense, ready to step forward. She quickly grabbed his arm, pleading with her eyes, telling him

to his cheek, barely

of her momentary guilt and, seeing how close Jessica and Herbert seemed, any trace of remorse vanished. "Jessica, don't forget-you're Timothy's wife! He leaves the country for a few days and you're out here flirting with some random guy? Have you no

He turned to Jessica, voice low and steady. "Little Mute, is this how his

her in the Lawson family. She'd brought this trouble on herself-she didn't want to drag Herbert into

shooting Jessica a

looked ready to

his face and quickly signed to him, "Herbert, I'm sorry. Please, just go. I'll make it up to you, I promise-let me buy you dinner