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Then so else occurs to me “Is that what you did with me, too?”

“When you left hoood chance I’d lose you Your sisters were all happy to settle down and teach school, be stay-at-home moms, or work for the local florist But I always knew you had bigger and brighter ambitions than a town of twelve thousand people allowed”

So, like Dad, she let o That must have killed her

I never once thought about that—until now

The difference between ht have been a selfish prick, but I refuse to remain one “That doesn’t mean we aren’t still family”

I can almost hear the smile in my mother’s voice, despite the fact she’s obviously choked up “It doesn’t, son If I haven’t told you, it’s so good to hear from you”

Hell if that doesn’t choke ood to talk to you, Mom What are your plans this week?”

She takes e of subject and tellsat the local ani with two ofdance recital Honestly, I used to think all that shit was boring Now, it sounds nice

We hang up a few minutes later, after I proives birth this summer

After I set ainst the sofa and stare at the wall, thoughts pelting my brain

By the ti sun blares in ht with Sloan

Not going to lie I’ today It’s necessary; I know that

But it will blow up my entire life

The drive to Stratus’s office is over too quickly I park in e across the reader At the clicking of the door, I push my way inside Some fellow employees wave and ask where I’ve been I hold up ht for Evan’s office

I’m a man on a mission