Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 89

Jessica paced restlessly, worry etched across her face. She wanted desperately to ask the doctor about Henry, but she couldn't speak.

Timothy seemed to sense her anxiety. He stepped forward, voicing every question she wished she could ask.

"It's only a minor procedure," the doctor assured them. "There's really nothing to worry about."

Soon after, Henry was wheeled into the operating room.

Even with the doctor's reassurance, Jessica couldn't shake her anxiety. Surgery was still surgery, no matter how simple. She hovered by the door, her heart feeling as though it might fly right in after her son.

Guilt gnawed at her.

She'd been so absorbed in her own mess lately, tangled up in her feelings, that she'd barely noticed Henry. He was only six, just a child-he acted out sometimes, said the wrong things. But instead of gently guiding him, she'd ignored him, left him to fend for himself.

If she'd paid more attention, if she'd cared for him like a mother should, maybe he wouldn't be sick now.

Her hand, braced against the wall, curled into a tight fist.

Timothy came over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. His voice was low

and soothing. "Hey, it's going to be all right. Don't worry."

Jessica closed her eyes, struggling to compose herself.

figured out what was really going on. Instead, she'd let

She had to talk to Timothy, had to make things clear. If time was running out, she couldn't

ready to sign the words

at the screen.

let me

"Timothy, can you come get me? I'm stranded on the highway

Of course Sallie would call him; who else

thought you were going abroad. Why

"Don't even start! I just got to Grandpa's, and he told me Sheila had already taken Henry to the

there as soon as

with her car. Stay here with Henry-I'll go pick her

knew Sallie's temper. When Sallie called, Timothy had

later. Henry was safe in the hospital, and Timothy

She nodded.

and kissed her forehead. "Don't be

he

of his lips

mess.

didn't know what she felt

hour passed before the operating

nurse rolled Henry

quickly pulled out her phone, typing a