Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"This is..."

Mabel hesitated, clearly at a loss.

But Henry's face was set in a stubborn frown, his eyes shimmering with hurt. It tugged at her heartstrings-he was probably just craving his mother's home cooking.

"Alright, I'll call Mrs. Lawson."

She dialed Jessica's number, but the phone was switched off.

Lowering her voice, Mabel said gently, "Mrs. Lawson's phone is off, Master Henry. Why don't you eat a little something for now? When she returns, I promise I'll persuade her to cook something special for you, okay?"

Henry's disappointment only deepened.

Whenever he was sick before, his mom would be at his side day and night. Now, he hadn't even been discharged, and she hadn't come to the hospital, hadn't made him anything to eat and now her phone was off, too.

What kind of mother was she being?

Unwilling to give up, Henry used his smartwatch to call Jessica himself. When all he got was the automated message that the phone was off, his tears spilled over.

Mrs. Lawson," Mabel said, her voice growing frantic. After all, this was the cherished young

set down the lunchbox and hurried

tried

only to hear Henry's sobs on the other end. Alarmed and worried, she asked, "Henry, sweetheart, what's wrong?

tears. "My mom... she hasn't come to see me at the hospital. And... and

dissolved into

forgot to charge

want Mabel." Henry's voice was small,

come keep you company, okay? I'm in Capital City right now, so I'll catch the earliest flight. It'll take me about three hours, but I'll

to me," he sniffled, immediately calming down

come? Don't be sad, I'm booking my ticket now.

and pulled out her suitcase. Leaving a note

to see Mrs. Lawson and that her phone was off, asking him to

the news

and kept her updated on his schedule. Why was she