Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Could you explain the inspiration behind your papercutting design?"

The host couldn't understand sign language.

But Henry could.

Yet he kept silent. He didn't want to answer Jessica using sign language, not in front of everyone.

His nerves were stretched too thin-he was terrified someone would connect the dots between him and Jessica.

One of his classmates' mothers was here today. If she realized Jessica was actually his mom...

His problem was no longer that his mother couldn't speak, but that he'd been lying to everyone.

That's the trouble with lies: tell one, and you'll need a thousand more to keep it covered.

The host noticed Jessica using sign language and turned to Henry in surprise. "Henry, do you know Miss Jessica Greene? She's using sign language to ask you something—can you understand sign language? That's amazing! Would you mind translating what she just asked?"

The host held the microphone out to Henry, and the entire room waited for his

answer.

Henry was furious.

contest, yet she'd still come as the head judge. As if that wasn't bad enough, now she was intentionally using sign language to speak to

it out. "I'm sorry, I don't understand what the judge

withdrew the mic and turned to Jessica. "Miss Jessica Greene, could you please use your speech device to ask your question?

was already on his feet. He strode over to Jessica, coldly

his voice low and commanding as he spoke into the

wrapped in Timothy's arms, and for a moment,

Vince raised an eyebrow.

baffled by Timothy's

on stage, felt sweat breaking

his father was

voice, cold and forceful, echoed through the

wants to know the inspiration

Henry had made-a lamb

could he stand here and pretend

had been right: when a child makes a

had been nothing but a

standing there under the harsh lights and everyone's eyes, Henry burst into