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“There’s no bending w

hen it comes to kids You’re on board, or you’re not”

She shakes her head, sending her blonde locks tu with you, Eddie I’ure out the er appliances later”

“It’s that easy to just walk?” My voice breaks

“It’s not” Her blue eyes ith tears It’s the first real eer

“I’o I’ll be back to with s sorted out”

She steps back frorow old alks out of my life I could chase her, but I know it’d be useless This isn’t a spontaneous decision She methodically planned, calculated, and executed it How could I not have seen this coer mix to form an explosive cocktail

I walk over and kick the box lingering in the center of the roo fortifiesthe box Panting, I stop when the crunching ends and let the tears fall

Present

I shove the s with Efia and I are different She’s older At thirty-five, she knows if she wants children or not We’re taking our ti nicely I refuse to let Marilyn ruin this for et dressed As I near the kitchen, the smell of baked batter reaches me

“Soood” I walk behind her at the stove and wrap s

“I hope you like waffles”

“Love them”

“Excellent Waffles, eggs, and bacon will be served shortly, sir”