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I just wanted it to be over with I'd le ht have to move back in with e that Tessa went to there in town I'd be okay Things would be okay

I heard a “neeeeeerm” sound as a family walked by A little blonde boy with a backpack on, probably about three years old, ran ahead of his parents In his hand was a toy airplane, and he was h the air He was adorabl

e

When he sawat hie didn't have any social cues about politeness, so I waved and cheerfully said, “Hi!” He i

His dad picked him up and carried him with one arm “Hey, don't be scared,” he said He turned toto his son, “Wave to her and say hi back”

“Hi back” the boy said proudly, waving his plane atThe boy wrapped his arms around the back of his dad's neck and looked over his shoulder atuntil he was a few more steps away

My fingers went to my belly and tears welled up in my eyes That hat I wanted It hat I alanted The fahter to look up to and hide behind when they were scared by a stranger A father ould smile and tell them not to be scared and to be polite A husband to teachI wanted all of that

I couldn't let it go this easily

The picture was still up on my phone I pressed the “Share” button and clicked Jae

James, this is the picture that I didn't want you to see If you still never want to see h

I al it sounded too uilt trip However, I wanted a response badly I wanted hiiven, that he would send Oliver to conancy

I wanted hi would be okay

I stared at my phone I wasn't too surprised when a full minute passed without a response It would of course take him some time to process what I had sent him I would be shocked if it didn't

Five uitar He'd contact me any minute now

At ten minutes, my spinach artichoke dip cary Now, I couldn't eat a bite