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.

treatment for aphasia? But you seem so familiar with the whole process-and

was leading the research, 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 myself. You wanted your voice back so badly-I couldn't

that was

I don't think I ever paid you for

"This is my hospital.

take all

"If

keep being so polite, I'll get

had no choice but to let the

be before she could have

depends on how your recovery goes," Herbert said. "Don't worry. I'll let you

away for another surgery, and

had given her the

lost her

Now, he was treating her aphasia

she'd never given him

gratitude, Jessica hailed a cab to the nearest

so she

and accessories. But ties, cufflinks, belts-those were so common, and didn't feel quite right