Goodbye, Mr. Regret

The moment Timothy caught sight of Herbert standing protectively beside Jessica, his lips pressed into a hard, bloodless line.

Herbert, of course, noticed Timothy as well.

Timothy didn't bother hiding how intimately he held the woman in his arms; even when running into his own wife, he made no attempt to keep up appearances.

It was outrageous.

Without another glance at Timothy, Jessica turned toward Herbert and quietly signed, "Let's go."

She acted as if Timothy didn't exist.

Both Timothy and Sheila understood Jessica's sign language.

Sheila, a beat behind everyone else, finally spoke up. "Timothy, Jessica's right here. You can put me down now."

Her voice was still rough and low from the strain.

"Don't talk. Protect your voice," Timothy replied, his tone clipped but concerned.

Jessica and Herbert were already heading toward the exam room when Timothy's words drifted to her ears.

Sheila had undergone surgery on her vocal cords. The fact that she could now do voice-overs for her cartoons meant her recovery was complete.

about her throat as

into the exam

told Herbert she didn't want Timothy knowing about her own throat exam. Herbert

vocal cords with the scope," Herbert said. "You don't need a full work-up unless you want one. For now, I'll give you some medication to help with recovery-herbal supplements,

Jessica nodded in agreement.

handed her

it clear she

stories about loving Timothy or refusing a divorce. She'd only said those things before to keep Herbert from getting

point, even if she

Sheila like that, even the

tactful enough not to mention Timothy's behavior with another woman. There was

on home,"

her instructions for the medication,

in the exam room, Timothy emerged and tracked

knocked on

"Come in," Herbert called.

Herbert looked up-only

help but let out

first day he saw Jessica—Little Mute, as he called her-standing with him