Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sallie shot back, "Aren't you a Lawson too?"

Ignoring the tension, Timothy bent down to pick up the cane and handed it to Phelps, trying to soothe him. "Grandpa, please don't be upset."

Phelps' frown deepened, the lines on his weathered face seeming even more pronounced.

Just then, Jessica eased Timothy's hand away and crouched to gather the scattered bills from the floor.

Sallie's lips curled in disdain. "Timothy, just look at her. Is money really all she cares about?"

There was a hardened, complicated look in Timothy's eyes. He had stepped in to defend her, but she didn't seem to care at all.

Phelps gave a cold snort. "Timothy, do you see her attitude? Are we really worth less to her than a pile of cash?"

Timothy had convinced himself that after all the compromises he'd made for her, she'd at least try to settle in for a month-let things return to normal, give the family some peace.

Clearly, he'd been fooling himself. Jessica seemed completely indifferent to his good intentions, determined to keep the household in turmoil.

At that moment, Henry came downstairs, drawn by the commotion at the door. Jessica had already scooped up the last bill and tucked the money away in a box. "Great-Grandpa, Aunt Sallie, you're here! Come in, don't just stand in the hallway." Jessica picked up the box and headed toward the door.

"Mom."

breakfast? I want your chicken noodle soup. I haven't

know Sheila had left in the middle

eyes flat, a tight ache rising in her chest. She looked away quickly and walked out, ignoring

turned her back on her child and her

didn't even look

at Timothy. "Timothy, are you just going to let her treat everyone like this? I don't expect her to cook for me, but what about Henry? Didn't you hear him say he hasn't had her chicken noodle soup

bit off the rest of her complaint, not wanting to admit how much Henry liked

his lip, watching his mother walk away, feeling worse with every step she took. He'd promised Sheila he'd ask his mom to make her chicken noodle soup when she came back, but now Mom was leaving

was so frustrated he could

"Timothy, why are you giving Jessica so

Come in, everyone. Why are we

finally made their way to the living room, where Sallie pressed on. "Timothy, stop making excuses for Jessica. She's never worked

she can't even speak. Where'd she get that

call

I'm