Page 45 of Merciless Monster

“Soon, Mom. I'm trying to find the right moment to tell him.”

“I don't see why this is so difficult, my darling. You tell me that Dante is crazy about Angelo. Surely he’ll be glad when you tell him.”

“Come on, Mom. There’s a vast difference between liking your girlfriend’s kid and finding out that you’re his father.”

“I’m just saying that perhaps you’re driving yourself nuts for nothing. Dante may surprise you. He seems like a nice person.”

“I know. Ugh! I know you’re right, Mom. Honestly, I don’t know why this is so hard for me.”

“Dante isn’t Sam, Mia. Now that one was trouble from the start.”

“Really? Sam had us all fooled.”

“Not me.”

“Oh, nice one, Catherine. If you were so sure about Sam then why didn’t you say anything to me?”

“You were so determined to make that relationship work, my darling. I didn’t want to meddle.”

“I wish you had.”

“And be the bad guy? Oh, no. No thank you.”

“Anyway, this discussion is moot. Dante is not Sam, and we’re moving in with him.”

“Okay, darling. I’m happy for you. I mean that sincerely.”

“Thank you, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Gotta run.”

“Okay. Chat soon.”

I’ll tell him soon. I will. Just not right now. Hey, this may not work out and then I won’t have to tell him.

Oh, wow! That’s a mature way of looking at the situation, Mia.

Oh, hell. Whatever. I can’t stand around here fighting with the little voice of reason in my head. I have to pack.

“Mommy!”

“Yes, my love. I’m in the kitchen.”

“Can I bring my dinosaur?”

“Of course, sweetheart. You can bring all your toys.”

“Oh, good. Because I think he’ll be scared if we leave him here. He likes to sleep with me at night.”

I never stopped to think about how this move would impact my young son. He seemed more than ready and terribly excited when Dante and I told him we were moving, but kids don’t always tell you what they’re really thinking.

“Are you okay with us moving, Angelo?”

“Yes. Will you swim in the pool with me when we get there, Mommy?”

And just like that, my son puts my fears to rest.

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