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.

come as the head judge. As if

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

Greene, could you please use your

up, but before he could make a move, Timothy was already on

his voice low and commanding as he spoke into the microphone.

herself wrapped in Timothy's arms, and for a moment, the room's atmosphere turned tense and

Vince raised an eyebrow.

baffled by Timothy's

stage, felt sweat breaking out across his forehead. He had

what his father was

cold and forceful, echoed through the

Jessica Greene wants to know the inspiration

made-a lamb kneeling to nurse-had infuriated

Henry understood the greatness of a mother's love, how could he stand here and pretend

been right: when a child makes a mistake, you

Henry had been nothing but

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