Page 124 of Savage Daddies

But she’s dead.

And one can even argue I was more dead thanherfor constantly lamenting the past.

And then in walks my biggest regret from the past.

Except she’s not a regret—she’s a new start.

I refused to believe life could improve after Sheila’s death. My teen years werethebest days of my life. Working on the ranch, meeting Sheila and experiencing love for the first time…then having it all flipped on its head. I thought that was it. All life had in store. You grow up with the assumption that past the age of thirty, you arrive at the peak of the roller coaster and travel downhill from there.

But at thirty-six and with a full head of gray hair, I’m only just approaching the top.

And something tells me it will continue this way for a while.

Sweat is starting to stick in places I’d prefer it not to, so I rise from the chair and head to the bathroom. “Anyone care to join me?”

Zoe clambers off the couch, and this then motivates the other two up, seeing that we might be going for a second round.

I crank the faucet.

Zoe’s about to step in, but then turns around and smiles. “I love you guys.”

I return the smile. “We love you too.”

The End

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