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“Daddy, what are we doing today?” Claire asked “Can we go see the ponies? Constance, you want to come see the ponies?”

“Sure,” I said “I love ponies”

Benton drank his coffee “How about you and your o?”

Beatrice exchanged a look with him A look that said a lot

“You want to go with us, Mommy?” Claire asked

“Just you two,” Benton said “You should spend soether”

The little girl looked at me “What about Constance—”

“You can take her another day,” Benton said “Now finish your breakfast so you guys can get going” He wasn’t as sweet and affectionate as he normally was He must have had a lot on his mind because his words came out harsh The harshness seemed normal for him, but when he spoke to Claire, it was really out of place

Beatrice stared at hiain

We ate in silence after that

A private car pulled up in the street, two guys in the front

Beatrice and Claire were both bundled in their raincoats even though the rain had stopped, but the weather was unpredictable right now Benton gave his daughter a long hug and a kiss on the forehead “I’ll see you when you get back, sweetheart”

“Bye, Daddy” She took her mother’s hand, and they left

I watched froy clothes he’d supplied for me

He stood there and watched theht, he shut the door and turned to me

It was the first time I’d been alone with him

I stared

He stared

He was in black jeans, boots, and a dark blue tee Hepasthis route to the sitting room in front of the fire

I followed him