Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"What's silhouette papercutting? Never even heard of it."

"Even if you haven't, Lorenzo said it's a lost art. That means it's rare-and probably worth a fortune."

A few people nearby were whispering among themselves.

Sheila's face paled noticeably.

Sallie, on the other hand, felt a little relief; at least she hadn't embarrassed herself.

Lorenzo stood up and walked over to Jessica, his manner incredibly polite. "Excuse me, miss, may I ask who made this piece?"

Vince chimed in immediately. "She did."

"Really?"

to shake Jessica's hand, but Larkin beat him to

seat, coaxing her to sit down beside him. The old man held her hand tightly, as if he couldn't bear to let

ancestral home-my family's home. All that remains

child. And the woman beside him is my mother. The moment I saw your papercutting, it was as if I'd been transported back in time. This is, without a doubt, the most meaningful gift

always cherished papercutting, and his praise for Jessica was

Zimmerman family's

estate was now a landmark heritage site in the

air was thick with admiration

to shake this young lady's hand too, but you haven't given me half a chance." Lorenzo had once headed the city's cultural bureau. After retiring, he returned to Riverside, where he and Larkin had been friends for

guest today, Lorenzo relented. "Alright,

Jessica with a warm smile. "Jessica, the cultural bureaus all over the country are eager to support applications for heritage preservation. Not long ago, I heard from my old colleagues that nobody has yet

he could barely restrain himself from dragging

couldn't help but start making his way