Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He looked utterly defeated-lonely, hollowed out by pain.

Sallie's heart ached for him. Shivering from the cold and her own frustration, she snapped, "Vince! Have you no heart at all? Timothy dragged himself here, battered and bruised, crossing half the country just to see her. Can't you see how much this means to him? Do you have any idea how many wounds he's hiding under those clothes? He and Jessy are husband and wife - they have a child together! Even if there are problems, even if he made mistakes, can't you give him a chance to explain?"

"Don't you talk to him like that."

Timothy cut her off, his voice low but firm.

Truth was, even before Timothy knew Jessica was Salome, he'd always shown Vince respect - never once raising his voice at him.

Sallie bit her lip in helpless anger.

But Vince felt nothing but contempt, unmoved by Sallie's outburst. "Physical wounds heal, but the ones inside? They don't. When Timothy hurt Salome, did he ever once wonder what she was feeling? However many marks he's carrying, do they really compare to what Salome's been through? Don't pretend you're the only victims here. For seven years, Salome lived with the Lawson family - silent. She wasn't mute; she had aphasia. That's treatable. Did any of you ever get her help? Did you ever care? Funny how, the second she leaves your family, she starts speaking again. Why is that, Sallie? I'd really like to know."

He turned to her, voice rising. "You're not usually quiet, are you, Sallie? So tell me - why? Was it money? Did the Lawsons not have enough to pay for a specialist? Or did you just not care enough to try?"

By the end, Vince was shouting, each word echoing in the chilly air.

And then, as if on cue, snow began to fall - soft, endless, filling the world with sorrow.

Everything Vince said was true. Sallie had no words left.

At last, Vince spat a single word through clenched teeth. "Out."

Sallie was stunned. She'd never been spoken to like this - no one had ever dared insult Timothy, either. Humiliated beyond bearing, she grabbed Timothy's arm, her voice tight with anger and defeat. "Timothy, let's go. The Zimmermans aren't going to let you see Jessy again. You two are already divorced - there's no going back. Let's not stand here and take this. Just leave it. It's over."

She was cold, wounded, and simply couldn't take any more.

But Timothy shook her off. "If you want to leave, go. But I'm not leaving until I see Jessy."

He couldn't let Jessica go.

He just couldn't.

she'd be gone

buckled - he was sinking down, right there in the

she lunged to grab his

then dropped to

her eyes. She couldn't bear

this really her

by all - who once

out his

finally stepped away, snow swirling in her

she couldn't change Timothy's

already hurt

was to fetch

grandparents - maybe they'd

convincing

put on a show, go join a theater troupe. Don't treat our family like

Timothy

on his knees, his

the snow piled on his shoulders and hair, he

lips pressed tight, his features hardening in the

you won't go, I'll have the

out," Vince barked.

you want? To

Seven years

cherished her -

no turning

can't you accept that?"

wanted Timothy gone, before Jessy was disturbed by

that moment, Yates stepped out