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."

after her. "Grandpa and Aunt Sallie are here-aren't you going to make breakfast? I want your chicken noodle soup. I haven't had it in so long.

Sheila had left in the

in her chest. She looked away quickly and walked out, ignoring the entire

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

didn't even look

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

Sallie bit off the rest of her complaint, not wanting to admit how

every step she took. He'd promised Sheila he'd ask his mom to make her chicken noodle soup when she came

so frustrated he

"Timothy, why are you

in, everyone. Why are we all crowding in the

living room, where Sallie pressed on. "Timothy, stop

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

you call her mute to her face,

I'm just stating a