Page 29 of Merciless Monster

“Hi. I’m Dante. Who are you?”

Mia is still at the door. She’s talking to a woman.

“I’m Angelo,” the boy announces. “I live here.”

“Oh…”

A child. Mia never said anything about having a child. Why would she not say?

Why would she tell you, Dante? It’s none of your business.

“Hi, Angelo. It’s nice to meet you.”

“What happened to your arm?”

“I had a little accident.”

“Mommy kisses my boo boos and ouchies better. Did she kiss your ouchie?”

Uh-huh. And then some.

“Your mommy fixed my arm, yes.”

Mia is standing at the door, watching the kid and me.

“Go get your school bag, darling,” she says.

“You have a son,” I say as soon as Angelo has left the room.

“I do.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to but…you know. You distracted me.”

“What about his father?”

“He’s no longer in the picture.”

“I see. He’s a cute kid.”

No rival suitor. Excellent news.

“I think so too. I need to get him ready for school. Would you excuse me, please?”

“Of course. Thank you for the eggs.”

“Sure.”

Mia leaves the room. I can hear the kid laughing and chattering away in the adjacent room. The apartment isn’t very big so sound travels. It’s a good thing the kid wasn’t here last night because his mother and I made quite a racket.

It’s not long before little Angelo is back in the living room.

“I’m going to school now.”

“Okay. Have fun.”

“Come, darling.”

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