Goodbye, Mr. Regret

The Lawsons had completely fallen out with the Howards.

Now that Sheila was back, it suggested the tension had eased—at least a little.

Given how close he was with Sheila, he'd never embarrass Timothy in public by making a scene.

Yates, on the other hand, fixed Timothy with a thoughtful stare. "Sheila's got a point. No woman could put up with that much for so long. Why don't you bring her over and introduce us? She deserves at least that much."

"There's nothing to explain."

Timothy picked up his glass, taking a long, punishing swallow of whiskey.

Jessica, that woman just couldn't behave.

He'd handled everything for her, made it all so easy. All she had to do was send him a single message, and he'd let bygones be bygones, bring her home.

But of course.

She just had to ruin his mood.

Still, if she came to him now, made the first move, maybe just maybe he'd forgive her this once.

Sheila noticed Jessica was gone. Rising from her seat, she put on a show of mock annoyance. "Timothy, you- What am I supposed to do with you? Oh, forget it. If you won't go get her, I'll do it myself."

Sheila glanced in the direction where Jessica had been only moments ago.

Where did she

just in time to see that familiar figure had vanished, and his eyes darkened

line formed on his lips,

down into her seat. "If Timothy

more convinced than ever- Timothy didn't care at

looked

on, enough with the 'but.'

with a plastic fork and handed

fetch Jessica anyway, so she accepted the gesture and let the matter

out his nearly spent cigarette in the ashtray. "I'm

moment Timothy slipped away, an odd tension seemed to settle over the

his glass, nodding at Yates

you think Timothy will

arched an eyebrow.

divorce, but seven years had come and gone

Sheila a knowing look. "What

cheeks flushed pink. "How

Timothy made a call to

the Red House. Come inside and

hung up without waiting for

kind of place