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."

noodle soup. I haven't had it in so long. Can you make extra

left in the

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

thumped his cane in anger. "This is outrageous! She's turned her back on her child and her husband-just

didn't even look

frowned 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

influence, and Sallie bit off the rest of her complaint, not

Sheila he'd ask his

was so frustrated he

topics. "Timothy, why are

from me. Come in, everyone. Why are we all crowding in the

Sallie pressed on. "Timothy, stop making excuses for Jessica. She's never worked a day

speak. Where'd

darkened. "Do you call her mute to her

is mute. I'm just stating