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“Go away, Max”

“Willa”

I sigh and turn to look at him God, he’s handsome He’s the most handsome boy I’ve ever known

And he leftback Left Cary, his best friend in the world

“You’ve never been good at listening to ive a shit that you’re sorry You took hi, and you let him fall in that tree well If you hadn’t co it, ht now So, no, I don’t want to hear it Go away” I pushto do with you”

He clenches his jaw, and his nostrils flare, but he doesn’t argue He just nods once, turns on his heel, and walks away, and I’m finally alone with my husband

“I’ back at the expensive wood, the flowers, and the photo ofin front “I’m pissed at you, Cary Monroe You told me you’d never leave”

For the first tiht I’d receive, I feel tears threaten, and I give in to them

“Everyone leaves,” I mutter as the first drop splashes down my cheek “First Grandpa, then Max” I swipe atonna be okay, Wills,’ you said ‘I’ anywhere’”

I sniff and shake my head

“You fucking lied to me, Cary And I’m so mad at you I would open this expensive-as-hell casket and slap your face if I could”

I eye it, considering it

“You knohat I hate the , I was irritated with you then, too Because I wanted you to stay hoether, and you said you’d do it that afternoon You’d have Max help”

A sob escapes

“But now, you won’t do that And our son won’t ever know you” I rub ain, comforted by the movement of the tiny child in ood it feels when you hold him”

I s hard and take a deep breath, trying to get myself under control

“Actually, that’s not true He’ll know you because I’ll tell him about you But it won’t be the saain “It won’t be the same at all How am I supposed to do this without you?”

Chapter One

~Willa~

“MOM!” ALEXANDER CARY MONROE, the love and light of et his shirt buttoned up Winter means it’s tiht-year-old doesn’t stand still for long “Mom Mom Mom”