Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Dad." Henry looked up, his voice small and wounded. "But I think Mom doesn't like me anymore."

"There's no mother who doesn't love her own child."

Timothy had wanted to sit down and really talk to Henry for a long time, but the chance never seemed to come. Lately, the house had been in chaos, and after his injury, everything just felt even more overwhelming.

"Do you really mean that, Dad?"

“I do. But love goes both ways, Henry. When she feels your love for her, she'll show it back."

Henry thought for a moment. "When we have dinner, I'll apologize to her."

Timothy ruffled his son's hair, a gentle smile on his face. "That's my boy. Don't be rude to your mom again, alright? Otherwise, I'll be upset with you. Now, go do your homework."

Henry slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed to his room. He sat at his desk, but his mind drifted back to the way his mom had spoken to him just now.

Honestly, as long as she was talking, that was already a good thing.

His mom was beautiful, and she was amazing at making paper art. Just last month, she'd been the head judge at the children's paper-cutting contest...

But thinking about that contest made Henry's brow furrow. That day, she'd embarrassed him on purpose in front of everyone, and he'd ended up not winning a prize.

His head spun with messy feelings. He forced himself to stop thinking about it and opened his books to start on his homework.

Out on the balcony, Timothy lit a cigarette and sighed.

Raising a child and holding a family together were turning out to be so much harder than he'd ever imagined.

Back when Jessica was around more, he never had to worry about any of this. The house just seemed to run itself.

He'd never realized how much time and energy it actually took to keep everything together.

Tonight, he promised himself, he'd find a way to sit down and have an honest talk with her.

before dinner

to let Timothy know. He nodded, gesturing

knocked gently on Jessica's

"Dinner's ready, ma'am."

and Henry, but after a moment's thought,

told herself, she'd live as if the two of

focus on her own life-and that was

thought, she finally stepped out of

"I'm so glad to hear your voice again,

"Mabel, thank you."

a warm,

kindly. Now that

she wanted to say

you, ma'am. Come on, let's eat while

walked to the dining table. Timothy and

stood to the side, setting out

was

member of the little family was lost in their own

элос

nowhere to be

down

Henry's eye and gave him a

piece of chicken, and

I'm sorry for earlier. Please don't be mad at

up at Henry, then at

nothing and went

drew together in frustration. He'd apologized first-what

she'd made mistakes too, but

as he'd hoped. He'd thought Jessica would soften

him.