Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She had found her voice again, though it was still soft and uncertain.

Jessica remembered what it felt like to speak-she used to talk all the time. But now, her vocal cords felt clumsy, her words shaky and imprecise.

Herbert patiently guided her. At first, he read aloud and had her repeat after him, keeping the pace slow and deliberate. Gradually, he encouraged her to keep up with his natural rhythm, reciting together.

After a few rounds, Jessica could feel a hint of progress her words were just a little clearer, her throat just a little stronger.

She'd never seen Herbert work like this before-so focused, so meticulous. It struck her that he was really, truly exceptional.

After about twenty minutes, Herbert stopped. He handed her a small bottle of

throat spray.

"Here, spray this."

This was a soothing formula he'd made just for her, designed to protect her recovering vocal cords. After each practice session, it eased the discomfort and helped begin the healing process.

Jessica tried it, feeling a cool, refreshing sensation in her throat-relief spreading almost instantly.

She set the bottle down and signed, "What kind of medicine is this?"

"I made it myself," Herbert replied with a smile. "Just use it as needed."

Jessica had so many questions, but their exercises had kept her too busy to ask until now.

spent seven years developing the treatment for aphasia? But you seem so familiar with the whole process-and you

but I helped out with the experiments all the time. I know the treatment inside and out. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared operate on you

that was the

I don't think I ever

laughed. "This is my hospital. Why would

just take all your help

"If

so

but to let the

it would be before she could have

your recovery goes," Herbert said. "Don't worry. I'll

for another surgery,

given her the

she lost

there to help. Now, he

never given him anything

her gratitude, Jessica hailed a cab to

for Herbert, so she

and accessories. But ties, cufflinks, belts-those were so common,