Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Soon, the rumble of a car engine drifted in from outside.

Jessica emerged from the bathroom, having just brushed her teeth.

Henry was standing in her room, his small face scrunched up in a look of reproach.

She glanced at Henry with indifference, then walked over to the sitting area, poured herself a glass of milk, and opened her laptop to read the script Mr. Smith had sent her.

She acted as though Henry wasn't even there.

Henry couldn't believe it.

He'd come all the way to his mom's room-and she was treating him like thin air!

Fuming, he marched over and slammed the laptop shut.

"Mom, why are you ignoring me?"

Only then did Jessica look up, meeting Henry's furious eyes.

had already made it clear he didn't want

"Why did you embarrass me at the craft competition? I'm your son! Did you really want me to lose face in front of

be good to me like Miss Sheila? You weren't like this before— what's gotten into you lately?

to Dad, with me being as old

to

all his pent-up frustration in a single

after all, she and Timothy were now just two

But Henry was different.

child she'd carried for

son was permanent, unbreakable, no matter what happened between her and Timothy. Even if they severed

face? A person of integrity, who truly understands gratitude, is admired and respected by others. Tell me, are you that kind of

speechless by her

anymore and shouted, "It's all because you're a mute!

Smack-

about gratitude, but you're ashamed because I can't speak? What right do you have to win any prize, or care about your reputation? You'd rather have a fake mom and win some hollow praise—is that