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

Sallie's slap landed squarely-on Jessica

sharp, fueled by her anger, and bright red

her own hand in a brief, panicked daze.

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

tense, ready to step forward. She quickly grabbed his arm, pleading with her

pressed his tongue to his cheek, barely containing

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

fists clenched at Sallie's venom. He turned to Jessica, voice low and

want to make a scene, or let Herbert realize just how bad things were for her in the Lawson family. She'd brought this trouble on herself-she didn't want

shooting Jessica a sideways glance, her

looked ready to

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