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.

her lap, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to open it again. She slid it into her drawer and closed it, deciding to leave

morning, Mrs. Zimmerman took her children

by Larkin's side, and today Vince was coming to take over so Zachary could go home and

woken up that morning, and when Jessica entered the hospital room, his face lit

sat down, and took his hand

are you feeling any

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

losing her voice -moved her grandfather more than he could

Jessica replied. "There were so many people working

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

company, while Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman led Jessica toward the elevator

as the elevator doors slid

wrinkled,

Rather than

automatically a moment later, but before they could fully shut, Timothy pressed the button and opened them again, expecting

that his presence was enough to make them