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 would she

done to Jessica, the thought

was no way she'd ever believe that Timothy and Sheila, living together under one roof,

bring Sheila home right in front of her, what else was

in from the other room. Jessica could hear them talking, and realized Sheila wouldn't be coming in

her in. She needed to wash every

the shower; the steady rush of

in the bedroom," Timothy

eyes drifted to the coffee table and landed on the silver

pretended not

play dumb—after all, she'd received her own gift first. Even if

to her?" Sheila kept up her usual

need to worry about me. There's nothing going on between us," Timothy replied quietly. He had no intention of leaving Jessica, not for Sheila or anyone

"Since I got back, I haven't properly seen Jessica. It's lunchtime-why don't I

event, Jessica 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

was a