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

Sallie's slap landed

was sharp, fueled by her anger, and bright red marks appeared

hand in a

behind glasses that lent him a bookish air, there was a roughness he couldn't hide. He hated the idea of ever raising a hand to a

forward. She quickly grabbed his arm, pleading with her eyes,

his tongue to his cheek,

snapped out 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

Jessica, voice low and steady. "Little Mute, is this how his family always

didn't 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

how touching," Sallie sneered, shooting Jessica a sideways glance, her

ready to

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