Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica just stared at Henry, silent.

Henry thought she must be upset, so he hurried to explain. "Mom, you've always cared about me most, right? You wouldn't want me to be teased by others, would you? When we're alone, you'll always be my mom. But could you let Miss Sheila pretend to be my mom in front of everyone else? Just for show-would that be okay?"

Jessica's lips trembled.

This was the child she'd carried for nine long months.

She felt a deep, helpless ache rising inside her, the kind that makes you want to cry but leaves you with no tears.

Suddenly, a metallic taste filled her throat. She clamped a hand over her mouth and rushed out of the hospital room.

She doubled over in the hallway, retching.

When she pulled her hand away, she saw a smear of blood in her palm.

Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes for a moment, then walked toward the public restroom.

She turned on the tap and rinsed her hand clean, watching the blood swirl away, then splashed cold water on her face, desperate to wash away the tears threatening to spill.

She wandered out, numb, barely feeling the floor beneath her feet.

fished it out of

didn't pick up. Instead, she hung up and typed out a message

all night. I can't hold out anymore. Can

her, Jessica knew Sallie would never leave Henry

Timothy's

brother, the one she'd helped raise. Sallie had never married or had children of her own-she

be there as

her duty as a

new message

compromise for you. Why did you get upset and leave? Are you really going

the ache in her chest

couldn't let herself think too

now.

he was still young-there was time to set things

how hurt or angry she felt, she

her suspicions were nothing but paranoia, if she'd misunderstood everything, she'd make a new

she'd do her best to

six months left to live, she couldn't just