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.

like this. She had to talk to Timothy, had to make things clear. If time was running out,

ready to sign

at the screen.

let me take

voice burst through. "Timothy, can you come get me? I'm stranded on the

the night, Jessica thought. Of course Sallie would call

were going abroad.

I just got to Grandpa's, and he told me Sheila had already taken Henry to the

soon as I can," Timothy

to Jessica. "My sister's stuck with her car. Stay here with Henry-I'll go pick her

Sallie's temper. When Sallie called, Timothy had no choice but to go. It was nearly three in the morning there was no one

time to talk later. Henry was safe in

She nodded.

forehead. "Don't

that, he

still feel the warmth of his lips on her skin, her thoughts

mess.

know what she

before the operating room doors swung