Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sheila was the only one at home. When she noticed Sandra's face looked

troubled, she walked over and gently helped her mother to a seat. "Mom, you and Dad went out together in such good spirits. What happened? Why do you both look upset now?"

Sandra sighed. “Sheila, you spent some time in Riverside, didn't you? Do you know what's going on between Timothy and Jessy?"

Sheila hesitated. "It's complicated with the Lawson family. You saw it yourself— Sallie looks down on her because she can't speak, and the rest of the Lawsons..."

Sheila's hint was enough for Sandra to piece things together.

"So the Lawsons still can't accept that she's mute. But Timothy chose to marry her, didn't he? It's not as if the Lawsons expect him to find some wealthy heiress for a marriage of convenience. They finally got married, and instead of supporting the young couple, everyone's interfering. Don't they realize a good wife brings fortune for generations? Haven't they heard that choosing the right partner matters more than anything?"

Abell rubbed his eyes. "I'm getting tired. Honey, can you help me back to the bedroom?"

Sheila jumped up. "Dad, let me help you."

He shook his head. "No, I want your mother to come with me."

and Abell had been devoted to each other all their lives. Sandra cared deeply for her husband, so she walked

lowered his voice. "Sheila spent some time

"I doubt it. That was all over seven years ago. They've both moved on, and everything between them has seemed perfectly normal.

it some time ago, told me to keep an eye on Sheila and make sure she wasn't getting too close to Timothy.

to blame someone else?

Abell said quietly. "Maybe Jessy noticed 0 something and just couldn't accept it. What

was already twenty-nine. Sandra and Abell were seventy-five now-moving around was getting harder for them.

daughter had

was settled, with a

and still refused to get

them couldn't help

make the trip back

already asleep, so they didn't get a chance to