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

a while. I missed you, so I wanted to check in and see how you've

hadn't been well at all lately, actually. He'd cried more than a few

want to tell Sheila

and Sheila, and if she found out, she probably

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

never about needing Sheila

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

"Alright. Take care."

Henry hung up.

was stuck in her

really couldn't

been that long, and he'd already

Sheila tossed

truly wanted Henry, anyway. What she

Henry didn't want to be close to

arrived at

then, night had completely

Zimmerman

swered, and

it was,

you really shouldn't

us in a

drop something off. Could you please give this to Jessica

The butler remembering how