Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy, for his part, hadn't even shown the slightest hint of anger.

Sallie, clearly dissatisfied, shot Jessica a dramatic eyeroll before turning back to Timothy. "Timothy, maybe you don't know this yet, but on Grandpa's birthday, I saw her at the fabric market. She was with some guy, laughing and looking awfully cozy with him..."

Timothy fixed his gaze on Sallie, his eyes cold as frost. His lips, sharp as if carved from marble, pressed into a hard, silent line.

Realizing she'd pushed too far, Sallie clammed up immediately.

She'd acted on impulse-again.

Men care about their pride, after all. And Jessica, being mute, made any talk of

her cheating even more humiliating for Timothy.

She shouldn't have blurted it out so recklessly.

Timothy broke eye contact, reaching over to take Jessica's hand.

Jessica tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding.

Sallie just gaped.

Even now, Timothy was taking Jessica home?

Without a word to Sallie, Timothy ushered Jessica into the car, loaded her suitcase in the backseat, and got in himself. He didn't spare Sallie a single glance as he started the engine and drove off.

Sallie's face twisted in frustration.

But after a moment's thought, she reasoned that Timothy, with his composure, would never argue with Jessica in public. He'd probably wait until they were home to deal with her.

Determined, Sallie climbed into her own car, intent on following to see what would happen next.

***

Timothy brought Jessica home.

He held her hand as they entered the master bedroom, gently guiding her to sit at the edge of the bed. Then he knelt in front of her, his hands moving gracefully as he signed.

His fingers were long and elegant, his features striking; watching him communicate in sign language, he was almost captivating.

He had learned sign language, but rarely used it. Jessica could hear perfectly well —she just didn't speak. He and his father knew sign only so they could understand her replies.

Timothy's hands formed the words: "About this morning-sorry. I was up all night with Henry and didn't sleep."

Jessica hesitated.

It was the first time Timothy had ever explained himself to her.

But she quickly steeled herself. It didn't matter anymore.

She responded in sign: "Let's get a divorce."

A shadow passed over Timothy's eyes, dark and turbulent. His brow furrowed ever so slightly.

He stood, turning away from her.

He wasn't one for unnecessary words, and he despised drama. Their life since marrying had been peaceful-just the way he liked it. Divorce had never even crossed his mind. Their son was already six; everything had been calm and steady.

He couldn't understand why Jessica was suddenly making a scene.

Had it something to do with that man? Her childhood friend?

All at once, Timothy spun back around. He bent over, gripped Jessica's shoulders, and shook her, his voice rough with anger. "Is that man outside really so great that you'd leave your husband and child for him?"

A faint, cold smile flickered on Jessica's lips.

Of course. She should've known not to trust that brief moment of tenderness when he explained himself.

She pushed his hands off her shoulders and signed heavily, "If I said yes, would you agree to the divorce?"

"In your dreams!" Timothy spat the words through clenched teeth.

He added, "I'm not generous enough to let you make a fool of me. From today on, you're not leaving this house again!"

With that, Timothy stormed out, slamming the bedroom door behind him.

***noveldrama

As Timothy stalked off, Sallie arrived just in time to catch the stormy look on his face.

"Timothy, did Jessica do something to upset you?" she called.

Timothy ignored her completely, heading straight for his car.

Undeterred, Sallie hurried into the house and marched right up to the master bedroom, shoving the door open.