Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert's eyes grew misty as he looked at the picture frame.

Inside was a portrait-of himself.

He leaned against the wall of Jessica's old house, a gardenia bush blooming behind him. He couldn't have been more than twelve.

She still remembered him, just as he was back then.

"Jessy really has a gift for papercutting. Her portraits are almost lifelike-only she could pull that off," Vince said, unable to hold back his admiration.

Herbert knew she had that kind of talent. The paper lady she'd cut for his mother had been just as vivid, almost as if it could step off the page.

"It really does look like you, Herbert. Was that you as a kid?" Ines had also noticed the figure in the frame.

Timothy, who'd been silent until now, suddenly lost his composure. Leaning hard on his cane, he hurried over.

The four of them were chatting, so no one noticed Timothy approach. He reached out and took the picture frame right out of Herbert's hands.

All conversation stopped. Everyone glanced up at once.

Even though Timothy had never seen Herbert as a boy, the resemblance was obvious. And the background was unmistakably Jessica's house.

So, they'd known each other that well as kids?

"Give it back," Herbert said, standing up abruptly and reaching for the frame. His face was tense, as if someone had stolen something precious from him.

Jessica too stood up, impatience flashing in her eyes. She grabbed the frame, trying to take it back.

But Timothy held on, refusing to let go.

Jessica

filed for divorce, what did you promise me? Do you need

improper had ever happened between Jessica and Herbert. Vince had even vouched for it-Herbert might have loved Jessica, but

made for him, even after seven years

she still cherish

was scared-terrified, actually-of losing

"He helped me recover my voice. I gave him a gift in return-why shouldn't I? What is it you want to remind me of? That before our divorce was final, I risked tarnishing the name 'Mrs. Lawson'?

enough to cut. Vince, sitting nearby,

stayed silent,

ago, Jessica had chosen Timothy without hesitation. She

Jessica's resolve was

unwavering she wanted the

Timothy, on the

to hold

to keep his emotions

"I don't want to

Come home with me."

restrict my freedom. And

belongs to me.

he didn't

the frame. Jessica took

to Herbert's face as he sat back

shot Timothy a frosty look. "I'll go home when I'm finished eating.

and

in her hands, she treated Timothy as if he