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.

long before

their housekeeper, came over to let Timothy know. He nodded, gesturing for

gently on Jessica's

"Dinner's ready, ma'am."

really want to face Timothy and Henry, but after a moment's thought,

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

own life-and that

that thought, she finally stepped out of her

face lit up. "I'm so glad to hear your voice again,

"Mabel, thank you."

her a warm, grateful

Now that Jessica could

say to

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

table. Timothy and Henry were

side,

was

family was lost in

элос

to

her head down

him a meaningful

of chicken, and

earlier. Please don't be

at

and went back

drew together in frustration. He'd apologized first-what else did she want from

mistakes too, but she'd

he'd hoped. He'd thought Jessica would soften if Henry apologized, but she

him.