Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Henry, you're amazing! You memorized it so quickly."

Sheila's voice was full of praise.

"That's because you're such a great teacher, Miss Sheila," Henry replied, his voice bright and cheerful.

Jessica's eyes immediately dimmed at the exchange.

Timothy, on the other hand, smiled with satisfaction and told Jessica to bring the suitcase inside.

He strode off toward the living room.

Jessica wheeled the suitcase into the bedroom, grabbed her pajamas, and headed for a shower.

She turned on the faucet; the steady rush of water was loud enough to drown out the laughter coming from the other room.

When Timothy returned, Henry ran over with an affectionate "Dad!"

Timothy sat down, and Henry quickly pulled out his notebook.

copying 'A Mother's Love' a hundred times.

Timothy had called and told him-rather sternly-to copy "A Mother's Love" a hundred times. Henry had felt hurt by his father's tone and had called Sheila to vent. Sheila, gentle as always, comforted him

softened. He ruffled Henry's hair. "You did great. Was it tiring? Is there a

sat with me and copied it a hundred times

of Timothy's arms and snuggled

young man, your handwriting is so neat, and

for a moment, then looked at Timothy. "Tomorrow's Saturday. I want you

actually taken Henry to the amusement park together with Jessica. Now that Jessica was back, this was the

He agreed.

was over the

and now that Dad would be joining them, it felt

checked his watch-it was getting late-and told Henry it was time for

Henry clung to Sheila, insisting she

to call after Sheila, wanting to mention

agency signed her, he'd try to line up more opportunities for her. But the words stuck in his throat. Better to wait until everything was certain

upstairs, Timothy picked up