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.

was really going on. Instead, she'd let her diagnosis-six months to live-swallow up

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

raised her hand, ready to sign the

the screen.

let me take

you come get

course Sallie would call him; who else could she

you were going abroad. Why are

me Sheila had already

be there as soon as

to Jessica. "My sister's stuck with her car. Stay here with Henry-I'll go

When Sallie called, Timothy had no choice but to go. It was

Henry was safe in the hospital, and Timothy would be back

She nodded.

and kissed her forehead. "Don't be scared. It's a simple

that, he strode

warmth of his lips on her skin, her thoughts a

mess.

what

hour passed before the

and nurse

eyes closed and quickly pulled out her