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I don’t regret To in my life Jack, however, is an asshole I could do without As soon as he found out I was pregnant, he’d run His parents handed me ain

About a year after my son was born, Jack showed up He wanted to be part of Tohteen, I was skeptical and naïve and scared that I was failing as a retted it ever since He pops in and out whenever he likes Barely remembers to call on birthdays or Christmas or any other important moment in our child’s life

Like the reason Toht over the su surprise there—but he proo fishing next time he was in town

That eeks ago

Jack called, and they talked and , sitting on the front step waiting for his dad to show

He sat there all day long

I cried harder that night than any other before it

I think Tommy and I are at the point where I need to make the decision of whether or not to cut Jack out coood, and I abhor seeing my baby so upset He needs a real man in his life

Walking up the stairs with a letter from his soldier in my hand, I knock softly on the door “Your letter’s here, sweetheart” After waiting with no answer, I slip the envelope under his door and walk away My heart as heavy as it’s ever been

Tommy

Once my mom’s clear of the door, I scramble to the floor and fetch the letter from him I don’t even know his name yet, and already he’s more dependable than my dad

I rip open the letter and pull the paper out

Hey kid,

Thanks for writing me It’s always nice to know other people think about us over here My nae Drapper I’m thirty-five years old, and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland I like to fish, hunt, and play paintball with my nephews Their mom hates that

You’re a riddler, huh? I’ll bite, though I adreat at them

Is this your answer…

Milk duds?

Why was the watermelon sad?

One ofmy head

So, your mom, she likes your riddles? What about the rest of your family? What else do you like to do for fun?

See you on the flip side, Riddler,

Gage

“Wow!” Gage sounds really cool! And he likes fishing! I wonder if he’d have ti my mom out, too!