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November 24 - November 25, 2025
“I just have a lot going on with work, that’s all. I don’t really have time to invest in a relationship. I know you understand.” There’s another pause, this one longer. “You teach finger painting to sixth graders.” I bristle at his tone. “I teach art.”
wow jerk
After a moment, he says flatly, “Sure. No hard feelings. No feelings either way, I know that’s your specialty. You take care, Nat.” He disconnects, leaving me listening to dead air.
i think hes upset
Today marks five years since David went missing.
ominous
He’s got to be at least six four. Five. Six, I don’t know, but he’s ridiculously tall. A Viking.
he passes
I don’t like to break beautiful things.
ope
David wouldn’t have approved of this body. He was always encouraging me to eat more and work out more, to look more like Sloane.
ew?
“No. Like debts.”
me trying to connect the dots and coming up short
Finally he says, “It was supposed to be for work.”
theory time... shes payment on fiances debt and thats why he has disappeared
He growls, “Interrupt me again and I’ll take you over my knee right here and spank that perfect ass of yours until you’re screaming.”
yes sir. sorry sir.
“A few days. I need to kiss you.” “No.” It’s faint and not altogether convincing. “Then come sit on my lap and let me finger fuck you while I feed you dinner.”
thats a huge jump my dude
Into my palm slides out a heavy silver key.
gasp a mystery???
“Tomorrow night, then. Tuesday night. You name it.” I say softly, “Chris—” Before I can finish that sentence, he steps forward and kisses me.
uh oh
Chris lifts his chin and sticks out his chest. “I don’t know who the hell you are, but I’m a—” “Dead man, if you don’t fuck off. Right. Now.”
yer gross chris
I mean, I don’t care. I think.
sure jan
The bank has a copy of my driver’s license.
thats suspicious
A month goes by. Then another. Thanksgiving comes and goes. Teaching keeps me busy during the days, and Sloane, Mojo, and my art keep me busy at night.
oh
I’ve finally accepted that he’s never coming back.
now is when he comes back. when we dont want him....
“What do you think I should do?” “I have two words for you. The first word starts with ‘Fuck,’ and the second starts with ‘Him.’”
shes smart
Lowering my voice, I say, “Moving on. Spanking? Like I’m a misbehaving five-year-old? It seems silly to me.” “It won’t when you’re facedown on his lap with a stinging rear end and a soaking wet coochie.”
dying
“All five boroughs. But primarily Manhattan.” His smile is bland. “That’s where I came up.” Came up? Doesn’t he mean grew up?
she doesnt speak mafiaoso
Then a gunshot rings out, ruining the mood altogether.
it sure did
When I wake up in the morning, I’m alone. Kage is gone. And the cops are pounding on my front door.
oh no at least the sex was good
Steaming mad, I jolt upright in the chair. “I’m talking now! Your turn’s next! Where are your manners, mobster?” There’s a small sound. A muffled chuckle, perhaps. Then he comes back on the line, sounding contrite. Also like he’s trying very hard not to break out into gales of laughter. “My apologies. Please continue.”
lol i like them
“Home can be a person, too. That’s what you are for me.” Tears spring into my eyes. I have to take several ragged breaths before I can say anything, and even then, my voice comes out strangled. “If I find out you read that somewhere, I’ll shoot you in the face.”
shes my favorite
I have to tell her.
standing man emoji
“You’re making it up! Nobody glows because they had anal sex!” With a straight face, she says, “Sure they do. It’s from the phosphorescent glands in your sphincter. Why do you think my complexion is so great?”
LMAO
“You’re exaggerating.” “I’m not exaggerating. I’m literally incapable. My brain doesn’t work that way. It’s like how you are with math. Quick, answer this: What’s nine times twelve?” After a moment of severe mental strain, I say, “Fine, so you can’t fall in love.” “You see? How depressing is that?”
nat is me
“I love you, bossy man. You’re my life now. Come back to me soon.” I have to disconnect without answering. I can’t. Because for the first time since I was a boy, I’m fighting back tears.
aww
I don’t need a translator to hear what his heart is saying.
but i do need one!
A pre-recorded electronic voice says, “Hello, you have a collect call from Green Haven Correctional Facility. To accept the charges, press two. To decline the charges, press nine.”
thway my eyes bulged out of my head
“Nothing yet. But if my timing is right, he’ll arrive soon, to find you dead. On your birthday, no less. How tragic. I wish I could be there to see his reaction, but Viktor will tell me.” On the verge of hysteria, I shout, “Who’s Viktor?” “I am.” I spin around to see a man standing in the middle of my kitchen, smiling at me.
ahhbbhhbtxjgxjtj
“Sit down, Natalie, or I’ll fuck your corpse after I’m done with you and send the video to your parents.”
well thats rude
“What would you call a woman who fucks two men at the same time?” Behind Viktor, Mojo creeps silently closer, his head lowered, his teeth bared. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Do they know about each other?” He laughs. “I hope not. I’ll tell him before I kill him. I can’t wait to see the expression on his face.”
what???????
I raise my gaze and see Kage standing across the room, holding my father’s shotgun. I guess he loaded it. Happy birthday to me.
hap birth...
He says quietly, “The one hundred million dollars your fiancé stole from Max.”
oh
“His name isn’t David. It’s Damon. And he’s still alive.”
what hello
“His wife and kids.”
oh.my god
From somewhere else in the house, a woman’s voice calls out, “Honey? Where are you? I’m home!”
"i waited for you..." fucking liar
“Ten carats? So tiny. God, you’re a cheapskate, gangster.” He hugs me, hard, kissing the top of my head, my earlobe, my neck. Into my ear he says softly, “Marry me.” Of course it had to be a command, not a question. My voice cracks when I answer. “Let me get a look at this tiny ring first. I’ll let you know in a minute.”
bahaha
