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."

"Oh no, Miss Sheila hurt her foot? That must really hurt. Dad, can you call school for me? I want to go visit

tone was firm. "No.

further, and mumbled,

"That's fine."

ran over, and flung his arms around Timothy, standing on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his father's

school, come pick me up early, okay? So we can go visit

ruffled Henry's hair and stood up, personally

of the room herself, so it was already spotless. Mabel couldn't understand why Mr. Williams had specifically asked her to

window to let in

though the place was immaculate, she still methodically wiped

wind was

the bed, a cancer diagnosis letter was pushed even further

had returned

time she'd tidied up the house, the sun was already

wanting nothing

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

her phone

with

first—several missed calls, some from

figured Mabel was probably

have called back instantly

just

had transferred her two million dollars,

laugh. He needed her out of the way again. She opened her messaging

her two messages-one from the morning,

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