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“Okay, open theleefully

I opened theers clasped in front of him I reached up to feel as on my head I knehat it was even before I carefully pulled it off and I couldn’t help the sting of tears that burned my eyes as I studied the carefully colored paper croith my name on it

“Oh ,” I whispered and I didn’t even have to pretend that I was choked up

“Do you like it?” Matty asked “I colored it myself”

I nodded, needing a et out before I reached out to wrap ed me as hard as he could and then took the crown from me and put it back on my head

“Don’t tell Seth,” he whispered, even though Seth wasn’t in the roo to let him win tomorrow,” Matty added

I nodded “I won’t tell hi me with the same look of pleasure on his face I noticed Dante over his shoulder The youngin the doorway of the rooaze to Magnus who had returned to his chair I didn’t miss how the older man shifted uncolances his way

I didn’t haveturn of events because Dante quickly slipped back out of the room and a fewred hair entered Mav immediately stood and moved out of the way so Matty’s fathers could reach his side I also stood and walked around the bed to give theht of Tate’s puffy red eyes, but when he kept s his hand in hers and who had equally puffy eyes, I realized whatever was happening was a good thing and not a bad one I went to Mav’s side and took his hand when he held it out

“Bye, Matty,” I said as I gave him a wave

“Bye, Eli,” he returned as he reached out to hug Tate

As Mav led me from the room, I heard Tate say, “Buddy, I have someone really special I’d like you to meet, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy,” Matty said with absolute trust

Mav and I passed Dante, but the young man didn’t look at us as he scanned the hallway In all the times I’d interacted with Dante, albeit briefly, he’d always had an easy smile on his face…like he didn’t have a care in the world There was no snus leaving the roowith electricity around the the opposite direction and he didn’t once look back at Dante