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“He’s two, Agnes His es every few ht tears “Ben, we have to go,” she whispered

“I don’t want to!”

“Me, either, but—”

He stoathered steam She rubbed her forehead and wished herself a million miles from this place

“Stay!” he shouted

She pulled the towel from around his neck and he started to cry She picked hi, and put him in his stroller

“Julia! Look what you’re doing!” Agnes cried “Look at him—”

“I see hirowled

She clipped her screa over her chest and picked up the suitcase “I’ll be in touch,” she told Agnes and left

She knew Agnes would be watching her, so she didn’t take the shortcut She took the long way—even though it hborhood—hoping Agnes would never dreao to Jesse

As exits go, it was a disaster But at least it was an exit She’d take her points where she could get them

JESSE SET DOWN the planer and lifted the headboard He blew off the sawdust and shavings then eyed the line Straight True, as his grandfather used to say

His blood stilled, his ears pricked as a shoe hit gravel outside the door He could smell her even before he turned

“Jesse?”

He faced her and saw a different wo a Petro uniforry deep red Jesse glanced at Ben, who sported puffy eyes and a blotchy face

Jesse had the sinking feeling a disaster had just landed at his feet

“You okay?” he asked

She told hies she’d never gotten, but she kneas really happening He knew as she took the deep breath what she’d ask

“Can we stay here, just for a little while?” Her sky-blue eyes tore into him