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?"

had planned to get some information out of Henry. But with how things were right now, she figured it

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

lately, actually. He'd cried more than

to tell Sheila any

to dislike the closeness between him and Sheila, and if she

worried about his mother-since she couldn't speak, he struggled with the embarrassment if others found

was never about needing

I'll

"Alright. Take care."

Henry hung up.

something was stuck

kid really couldn't

and he'd already forgotten her-after all she'd done

Sheila tossed her

truly wanted Henry, anyway. What she really wanted was

to be close to her, he was nothing

arrived at the Zimmerman

night

lights were on inside Zimmerman Manor, and

and

it was, said,

really shouldn't

in a

a portfolio. "I'm only here to drop something off.

The butler remembering how