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GrabbingMac, I ask Gabe, “What do you want to do at Coney Island today?”

Only ive an off-the-cuff discourse on Coney Island “I want to ride the Cyclone, play skeeball, eat hot dogs and cotton candy, and then go to the beach, and then we can ride the Cyclone again I’ll ride it once with you, and then Mac can ride it with me ”

As Gabe keeps chattering, I open the door and glance oneat Gabe with theabout the best way to build sand castles, and I swear, I don’t think the kid has taken a breath yet

Turning around, I start to walk out the door and a there, hand poised in the air to knock

I used to think her the most beautiful woman in the world at one time in my life and now I can barely look at her pale blonde hair and light blue eyes without bile surging up inhere?”

She narrows her gaze atto say to me, to not only announce why she is here, but to pick at my wounds while she’s at it For so on me, Marissa takes every opportunity to strike out in retaliation Even though I’ed, she still feels the need to make me suffer

“I’ve had a change in plans, so I’et Gabe ”

Of course, she did, I think to myself tiredly as she pushes past ain

She doesn’t say a word to her son, but pins Mac with a snotty glare “And you are?”

Giving a sigh and running a frustrated hand through my hair, I open myMarissa’s hand, so she will give him attention, he says, “This is Mac, Mommy She’s Daddy’s friend ”

Marissa’s eyes glow hot for a moment, then she appraises Mac up and down I watch as the heat leaves and she turns away fro dismissive because Marissa knows that my past modus operandi was to fk woreat pride in having a hand in creating the new Matt Connover

So she dismisses Mac because in ayour flavor of the week around our son ”

Fury lances at me, not just because of the insult to Mac, but because of saying such a cole to keep my voice calm in front of Gabe, so he doesn’t really understand just how offensive histhis with you Not in front of Gabe We’re on our way out to Coney Island I can bring hi ”

“Sorry That just won’t work forhim now ”

Gabe tugs on Marissa’s hand and whines “I want to go to Coney Island with Daddy ”

Marissa never takes her eyes from mine when she responds to his to do ”

“Marissa,” I beg, because although I’d never beg that bitch for anything forfor et back at me ”

She doesn’t say a word toher So sensation, as if I was in an elevator that had dropped suddenly, causing my stomach to lose equilibriu sadness hits ht here… this is destined to beaway, she’s never going to stop being hatefully vile, and I’et with Gabe

How in the fk can a woman that purported to love me… married me… made love to me and bore my child, who then later went on to cheat on me… how in the world can that wo me?

“Mac,” I say quietly, while staring atGabe back to his room for a moment so I can have a feords with Marissa?”

“Sure,” she says softly “Come on, Gabe ”

Gabe looks at Mac and then cuts his gaze back to me in question “Go on, buddy I’ll work this out with Mom ”

“Okay,” he says ti toup on the bad vibes He takes Mac’s hand and leads her away

I watch my son, who I love beyond all measure, lead the woman who I may love, but I’m still not quite sure, away, and turn to face the woman who I absolutely despise

Chapter 29

“Marissa,” I try one time to appeal to any bit of humanity that may exist in her blackened soul “Please don’t do this He’s so excited about going to Coney Island ”

“Sorry, Matt It’s not your weekend for visitation, and it’s ht to take him ”

“Why do you do this?” I ask her bluntly, because we’ve never actually talked about our relationship since our divorce

Her eyebrows rise up in surprise “Do what?”