Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Timothy, are you there?"

It was Sheila's voice.

Timothy rolled off Jessica, pulling the covers over her naked body.

He hadn't even bothered to close the bedroom door when he brought Jessica in, still flush from their passion.

Now footsteps echoed down the hallway, getting closer.

"Timothy?" Sheila called again, her voice right outside.

"I'm in the bedroom," he replied, trying to sound casual. "Wait for me in the living room."

"Oh, all right," Sheila answered, her footsteps retreating.

Timothy had only slipped off his jacket. Now, with deliberate composure, he tidied his clothes, shrugged his jacket back on, and left the room.

Jessica felt a wave of humiliation wash over her.

She was completely exposed, nothing but the tangled bedsheets to hide her shame, while Timothy walked away looking as dignified as ever.

apartment-otherwise, why else

what he'd just done to

she'd ever believe that Timothy and Sheila, living together under one roof, were just innocent

right in front of her, what

in from the other room. Jessica could hear them talking, and realized Sheila wouldn't be coming in for now. She gathered her clothes and slipped

bear the mess Timothy had left her in. She needed to wash every trace of him off

shower; the steady rush of water

the

the coffee table and landed

not

for Jessica, but Sheila could play dumb—after all, she'd received her own gift first. Even if Jessica had one now, she'd be left to wonder. That

kept up her usual

nothing going on between us," Timothy replied quietly.

smile. "Since I got back, I

hadn't been herself. Sheila had said she was just his aunt, but Jessica clearly didn't believe it. Maybe she was still upset about the whole thing-after all, she cared so much about Henry, and she must have wanted

lunch was a chance