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“Well I have been learning from the best”

“You really do have a mouth on you once you open up”

“I got that from you, too,” she said, happy to hear the shift in his mood

“I ood teacher then”

“That you are Better?”

“A little The worst part about losing a child is not being able to bring them home or knohat their final moments were like Even if they were awful, I need to know”

She wanted to ask why, but didn’t This was past her pay grade, and the last thing she wanted to do was set hiet the closure you deserve, Xavier”

“Believeon that”

His words were dangerous, and his voice held a tone she’d never heard him use before It sent a chill up her spine

A knock sounded on his end “I have to go I’ll call you later, yeah?”

“I’ll be here,” she said, suddenly very concerned about his business trip

§

“Have you thought any raduation on Friday? I know they help you with job placement,” Jole asked

The innocent question put her on the spot “I’ my decision”

“Where are you thinking about?” she asked, flipping through herthe drop-off and pick up of the kids, so they’d opted for an impromptu coffee and dessert at their favorite local diner