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“I have to go hoet my stuff,” he says “I’ll text you before the plane takes off, but it may be several days before I can communicate”

Whenout, he explains, “I have to turn et on a plane to Geryzstan”

“That’s a lot of flying,” I say dumbly “You have to do all that just to come home for teeks?”

“Yeah” He runs his knuckles downto feel like forever”

“Probably,” I agree with a half-sh it”

He leans over and kisses my forehead, the tip of my nose, and then the corner of my mouth “I kno you feel about promises, so I won’tdown the days, hours, fucking seconds, until I’uys”

He gives our son a soft kiss to his forehead and, closing his eyes, breathes in deeply as if he’s trying to ivesin two, as he takes ainst my lips

And then with one last soul-crushing kiss, he disappears

Micaela

Four Months Later

Ryan: Send me a pic of RJ

Me:

Ryan: He’s in his paja I want a current one

Me: Can’t… He’s not with ht now

Ryan: :(

Me: Don’t give ht, and I’ in the bath

Ryan: The bath? As in… you’re naked? I’ll just take a picture of you then

Me: Ha ha ha

Ryan: Who’s laughing?