Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She always tried her best to help others within her own abilities.

"Don't worry. Everything will get better-trust me," Vince said, his voice gentle and reassuring.

Jessica nodded quietly.

Vince glanced at the sketchbook in her hands. "If flipping through that book makes you feel uneasy right now, you don't have to look at it."

"I know," she replied softly.

He gave her shoulder a comforting pat. "Try to get some rest, okay?"

When Vince left, he pulled the door closed behind him with care.

As her older brother, he'd been there through her divorce from Timothy. He knew all too well how hard it would be for her to truly forget him. Childhood affection that lingers into adulthood can root itself deep in your bones. The deeper the roots, the more it hurts to pull them out.

For Jessica, moving on and saying goodbye to the past must feel almost impossible. Even as an outsider, Vince felt a sharp ache just watching her struggle.

He wondered how much kindness and care it would take to heal the wounds she carried.

sketchbook in her lap, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to open

morning, Mrs. Zimmerman took her children to

already by Larkin's side, and today Vince was coming

face lit up, though

sat down,

feeling

I saw your movie. You're truly the pride of the Zimmerman family," Larkin said, his

Jessica had achieved-especially after losing her voice -moved her grandfather more

me," Jessica replied. "There were

for a while, careful not to tire him out. Since he was still so weak, she kept

to keep Larkin company, while Zachary and

elevator doors slid open,

clean clothes. Timothy's shirt was wrinkled, his stubble unshaven, and his bloodshot eyes betrayed his exhaustion; his usually handsome

Jessica and her family hesitated. Rather than

later, but before they could fully shut,

his presence was enough