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.

knew he was in this papercutting contest, yet she'd still come as the head judge.

out. "I'm sorry,

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

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

over the table, one arm resting protectively behind Jessica, his voice low and commanding as he spoke into the microphone. "I can understand sign

Timothy's arms, and for a moment,

Vince raised an eyebrow.

stared, completely baffled by Timothy's

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

what his father

cold and forceful,

wants to know

image Henry had made-a lamb kneeling to nurse-had infuriated

a mother's love, how could he stand here and pretend he didn't know

when a child makes a mistake, you need to

had been

lights and everyone's