Goodbye, Mr. Regret

All they could do was wait-wait for Timothy to come out.

Herbert, worried Jessica might collapse, scooped her up and carried her over to the lounge, gently settling her on a chair.

Sallie didn't like seeing Jessica so close to someone else, but she gritted her teeth and said nothing.

Half an hour crept by. Once Phelps and Naylor had finally recovered a bit, Naylor helped Phelps to the waiting area outside the operating room as well.

No one spoke.

Everyone's thoughts were fixed on Timothy's injuries.

Time stretched endlessly.

To the Lawson family, Timothy was their hope.

And for Jessica, the thought of Timothy in danger was unbearable.

Divorce was divorce, but she'd never wished pain or suffering on him-let alone death.

Especially not now, when he'd gotten hurt saving her and Herbert.

she'd first seen him come barreling toward them on his bike, her initial reaction had been

wouldn't stop

the hospital that day, too, taking

lifted a patient's spirits, and this was a chance for him to do his part

son.

away to visit Henry's room. After all,

a few times before; to him, the boy had

was his

out, Vince overheard a pair of nurses talking. "Poor kid-so father's in surgery.

and

had happened. The nurse, busy helping with Naylor and Phelps moments earlier, told him

at a time to the

he immediately saw Herbert beside Jessica in the lounge. Jessica was pale, her body shivering now

and crouched in front of her, his voice soft:

moment Jessica saw Vince, the tears she'd held back for so long

but never

"Big brother..."

why