Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Soon, the rumble of a car engine drifted in from outside.

Jessica emerged from the bathroom, having just brushed her teeth.

Henry was standing in her room, his small face scrunched up in a look of reproach.

She glanced at Henry with indifference, then walked over to the sitting area, poured herself a glass of milk, and opened her laptop to read the script Mr. Smith had sent her.

She acted as though Henry wasn't even there.

Henry couldn't believe it.

He'd come all the way to his mom's room-and she was treating him like thin air!

Fuming, he marched over and slammed the laptop shut.

"Mom, why are you ignoring me?"

look

attention to him? He had already made it clear

demanded, "Why did you embarrass me at the craft competition? I'm your son! Did you really

to me like Miss Sheila? You weren't like this before— what's gotten into you lately? Why

these years married to

embarrassing to finally have a wedding

blurted out all his pent-up

she and Timothy were now just two

But Henry was different.

child she'd carried for nine

permanent, unbreakable, no matter what happened between her and Timothy. Even if

people, how would you have lost face? A person of integrity, who truly understands gratitude, is admired and respected by others. Tell me, are you that kind of

was left speechless by

shouted, "It's all because you're a mute! If you weren't mute, I wouldn't have let Miss Sheila pretend to be my mom. Have you ever thought about how I

Smack-

craft about gratitude, but you're ashamed because I can't speak? What right do you have to win any prize, or care about your reputation? You'd rather have a fake mom and