Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy was already far down the road.

Sheila stood where she was, helpless and rooted to the spot.

He really was growing more and more concerned about Jessica.

Seven years had changed so many things.

Timothy tracked down Jessica's attending physician and finally learned the truth: Jessica had gone into shock from extreme fright.

The police had found her in her hotel room and brought her straight to the hospital.

The tight knot in Timothy's chest loosened, just a little.

He remembered, vaguely, a night years ago. A thunderstorm had raged outside, and they'd been curled up in bed. Jessica had clung to him so tightly, trembling. For once, she'd been the one to pull him in for a kiss, her hands tangled in his hair. Even afterwards, she'd stayed wrapped around him like ivy.

He'd never realized, until now, how afraid she was of storms.

Last night's thunderstorm was the worst in years-lightning webbing across the sky, thunder shaking the windows.

It was no wonder Jessica had been so terrified she'd gone into shock.

A pang of regret stabbed through Timothy.

He should have come straight here the moment his flight was canceled at the airport. Should have hired a helicopter if he had to.

Timothy left the

to collect herself, then made her way

expecting he would return any

saw him striding out of the hospital, still wearing the patient

What is he thinking?!

to see Jessica

could practically hear her own

On a normal day, he was immaculate -tailored suits, clean-shaven, not a hair out of place, shirts pressed

All those little things he used to care about gone, just like

were anyone else, Sheila might have found it easy to

But this was Timothy.

clenched her fists, nails digging

made up her mind, hurried to the stairs,

struck the handrail.

fumbled for her

for a taxi at the curb when Sheila's name

a hotel for the night when her voice came

to catch up but I couldn't... I was in such a hurry, I missed a step and fell down the stairs. I hit

tightened, lips pressed into a thin, hard line. After a brief silence, he said, "I'll be right

hung up, a satisfied