Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's gaze was sharp, almost piercing, as he looked deeply into Jessica's eyes. "It's because I'm afraid of losing her," he admitted, voice low.

He had made too many mistakes.

Now, he was at a loss.

All he could do was fight desperately, even if it meant hurting himself in the process.

In the end, everyone lost.

Timothy looked away, then bowed solemnly to Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman.

"I never meant to keep this from you forever. I just hoped that by taking a roundabout approach, I could find a way to make things right with her again, bring her home myself, and deliver her safely back to you. But I've made a mess of everything. I'm sorry..."

Everything about Timothy-his posture, his words-radiated sincerity.

He was trying to change, to let go of his stubborn control.

He hoped, just once, to be forgiven.

But Jessica was unmoved.

Her face remained calm, expressionless, unreadable.

Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman looked at their daughter, searching her face, but said nothing to Timothy.

Mrs. Zimmerman stepped up beside Jessica. "We're on the fourth floor. It won't take long to walk down. Let's take the stairs."

them turned and

he was,

pressed

if, every time he left her behind without a

else's pain for yourself, it's hard to truly understand what they go

see why Jessica was so determined to end their

had been the

deepened the misunderstandings between them, but it had forced Jessica to see just how

been

he and their son had needed her, she treated them like

they didn't need her, they were little more than

The knowledge stung.

would yell at him, curse him, hit him-anything.

But she didn't.

spoke a few words, and only when pushed to

she wouldn't even mention it at

quietly bore it

back

parents had reached the car. Jessica said, "Mom, Dad, I want

Mrs. Zimmerman nodded. “Your

told us about

a huge favor. Why don't you invite him over sometime? We'd love to thank

grandfather's out of