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A thousand tie

A thousand ti into the van with theht filled es of my vulnerable babies

Mo, safe and fast" She kissed the tip of my nose My eyes watered It hat she always said to my dad when he left My iven time, my dad’s work could make her life painful She knew it, all too well She loved it when he got too high to go on mission anymore

I looked into the van and crossed h that they didn’t ask too many questions I had already explained that it was afor the men to ride with them, as an honor to their fallen father They did it for every fallen family

I took both their hands in mine and spoke softly, "Daddy had it in his will that ere all to take a vacation, if he ever died He didn’t want us to be sad or heartbroken He wanted us to be happy and re to take that vacation, like he o ahead with you and I’ to stay behind and deal with the rest of his stuff I love you both"

Mitch shook his head, "I don’t want to go"

I gave hiive a rat’s ass’ "Mitch, this is your father’s dying wish We have no choice but to respect it"

He cocked an eyebrow atme snap, "Behave for Grandma or I burn the electronics"

Moot into the passenger side and laid the seat back My kids were put in the middle seats within the back How they had allHad h the backyards in broad daylight?

I glanced over at Coop, ruffling the hair on Mitch’s head and joking with him I wanted to tell hi to be a man in front of him

I stepped away from the van and blew them kisses as the doors closed Coop closed the last of the minivan doors and walked tothe door I pressed ainst it He didn’t try to comfort me, thankfully

I dropped to my knees and sobbed, "T-t-t-they only finished their father’s o I’ve m-m- ers on the cold metal of it

I heard hi things froy

"Get up, Evie," he answered back with a tone of his own

I turned to tell hiy ass, but I was stopped by what I saw I started to laugh

"You are so twenty-years old You can say twenty-eight, but I know," I whispered as I sat up, shaking ave it to him He shook the salt on it and handed me the shot He did the same on his wrist and held his shot out, "To yourthat way"

I ether and gaveto be nice to me I have seen the real you," I snarled and licked the salt the sarabbed a lemon from the plate I sucked the juice as he did He reached over and wrapped his elass, "I aulped

The lonely corner we sat in, with our shots and lelooers and poured us each another shot, and passed lass back I licked my wrist and held it out for hiain, "To Jarinned and nodded, "And Mel May they be at rest together, happily"

He half sht side He licked his lips and I tried not to notice how plump they were Or how he had the subtlest cleft in his chin Or the way his pulse beat rhythmically in his thick neck It was like neck porn I licked rabbed the le the neck porn

I needed a nap and to be away froar, and I was an erief I jumped up and shook my head from the two shots

"Thanks," I walked past him and up the stairs

"No prob," he muttered

I curled up in my bed and slept, until he woke me with a shout from the bottom of the stairs

I jumped up and pulled on a casual outfit I didn’t even look atonce over

"What?"