Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica paced restlessly, worry etched across her face. She wanted desperately to ask the doctor about Henry, but she couldn't speak.

Timothy seemed to sense her anxiety. He stepped forward, voicing every question she wished she could ask.

"It's only a minor procedure," the doctor assured them. "There's really nothing to worry about."

Soon after, Henry was wheeled into the operating room.

Even with the doctor's reassurance, Jessica couldn't shake her anxiety. Surgery was still surgery, no matter how simple. She hovered by the door, her heart feeling as though it might fly right in after her son.

Guilt gnawed at her.

She'd been so absorbed in her own mess lately, tangled up in her feelings, that she'd barely noticed Henry. He was only six, just a child-he acted out sometimes, said the wrong things. But instead of gently guiding him, she'd ignored him, left him to fend for himself.

If she'd paid more attention, if she'd cared for him like a mother should, maybe he wouldn't be sick now.

Her hand, braced against the wall, curled into a tight fist.

Timothy came over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. His voice was low

and soothing. "Hey, it's going to be all right. Don't worry."

Jessica closed her eyes, struggling to compose herself.

She hadn't asked Timothy about everything-hadn't told him the truth, hadn't figured out what was really going on. Instead, she'd let her diagnosis-six months to live-swallow up everything else, shutting out the world.

Timothy, had to

hand, ready to sign the

glanced at the screen.

me

can you come get me? I'm stranded on the highway near

the night, Jessica thought. Of course Sallie would call him;

were going abroad. Why are you back

sounded exasperated. "Don't even start! I just got to Grandpa's, and he told me Sheila had already taken Henry to the airport. So I stayed for dinner, chatted a bit, and

as soon as I can," Timothy

up and turned to Jessica. "My sister's stuck with

ask him about Sheila, but she knew Sallie's temper. When Sallie called, Timothy had no choice

Henry was safe in the hospital, and

She nodded.

cradled the back of her neck and kissed her forehead. "Don't be scared. It's

he

warmth of his lips on her skin, her

mess.

didn't know what

hour passed before the operating room