Goodbye, Mr. Regret

After a while, Henry picked up the phone.

"Henry, have you had dinner yet?"

Sheila's voice was as gentle and caring as ever.

Maybe it was because Henry wasn't in a great mood-he didn't sound nearly as cheerful as he usually did when she called.

His aunt had told him he should really call Sheila "Great Aunt" according to the family tree.

His mother had been furious about his behavior and was now completely ignoring him.

He should probably do as his aunt suggested.

"Good evening, Great Aunt," he said.

Sheila almost dropped her phone.

"Henry, what did you just call me?"

"Great Aunt. You're Dad's aunt, after all. I should address you properly."

Sheila had so many things she wanted to say to Henry, but his sudden formality left her speechless.

Wasn't he always closest to her? What had changed?

"Henry, it's true I'm your dad's aunt, but we were born the exact same day, month, and year. Technically, yes, I am your great aunt, but you've always just called me Miss Sheila, haven't you?"

"That was my mistake. I should have used your proper title. Is there something you needed, Great Aunt?"

family was back in the country and had planned to get some information out of Henry. But with how things were right now, she figured it was best not

really. I just haven't seen you in a while. I missed you,

been well at all lately, actually. He'd cried more than a

to tell Sheila any of

between him and Sheila, and if she found out, she probably still wouldn't

to Sheila because he worried about his mother-since she couldn't speak, he struggled with the embarrassment if

about needing

If there's nothing else, I'll say goodbye. It's almost time

"Alright. Take care."

Henry hung up.

something was stuck

couldn't be

he'd already forgotten her-after all

Sheila tossed

Henry, anyway. What

want to be close to her, he

arrived at

night had

on inside Zimmerman Manor, and he rang the

and

it was, said,

really

us in a difficult

here to drop something

The butler remembering how