Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 5

Timothy arched an eyebrow, staring irritably at the razor in his hand.

"Whatever. I'll just make do."

After Henry got up, father and son sat down together for breakfast.

Henry had barely tasted his chicken noodle soup before he grimaced and called out, "Mom, did you put too much salt in this?"

No answer.

He tried again, a little louder. "Mom?"

Timothy replied calmly, "Stop calling, your mom isn't home."

Immediately, Henry tapped at his smartwatch, trying to call Jessica, but her phone was switched off.

Lowering his voice, Henry said, "Dad, do you think Mom's upset and ran away?"

"She didn't."

With both him and their son at home, Timothy was certain Jessica wouldn't just leave.

"Good. I still think Mom's breakfasts taste better, though."

Neither of them really enjoyed the meal that morning; it just didn't compare to what they were used to.

"Dad, last night Mom made Miss Sheila so mad she left. Is she coming to see me today?"

"She twisted her ankle and is in the hospital. She probably won't be able to visit today."

face tightened with worry. "Oh no, Miss Sheila hurt her foot? That must really hurt.

was firm. "No. School

push further, and

"That's fine."

his arms around Timothy, standing on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his

up early, okay?

and stood up,

with her cleaning supplies. Normally, Mrs. Williams took care of the room herself, so it was already spotless. Mabel couldn't understand why Mr. Williams had specifically asked her to clean

to

she still

the wind

cancer diagnosis letter was pushed even further

before, Jessica had

she'd tidied up the house, the sun

she finally turned off her phone, wanting

of having nothing to worry about for once, but she slept deeply didn't wake until eight in

switched her phone back

nonstop with

checked her texts first—several missed calls, some from

figured Mabel was probably calling

have called

she just

were also two bank notifications-Timothy had transferred her

out a bitter, humorless laugh. He needed her out of the way again. She opened

sent her two messages-one from the morning, one from a

you always want to try The Silverthread Eatery? Dinner at 7 sharp,