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Monday comes in too bright and too quickly.

Sun through the blinds. Coffee maker going. Theo’s dinosaur face-down on the couch. Last night’s cups still in the sink.

Simon has Theo on the bathroom counter

“I hate Monday." I grumble, pouring coffee into a travel mug I will forget on the counter.

I kiss Theo’s forehead. I kiss Simon at the corner of his mouth. His hand finds my hip for a second

I’m also missing Theo getting his cast off.

I had planned to be there. I couldn’t take another day. My boss has started breathing down my neck about how much I’ve missed. So Simon took him.

My room is still cold when I unlock it.

During lunch period my phone starts buzzing.

Simon

We have arrived.

A picture follows.

Theo is in one of those plastic waiting-room chairs

I smile.

How is he?

Currently explaining to a woman across from us that they’re going to use a saw on him.

Please tell him it doesn’t cut skin.

I did.

He told me I don’t know because I’m not a doctor.

I snort.

“Something funny?” Jamie drops into the chair by my desk with her lunch.

I hadn’t been avoiding her today. I just hadn’t figured out how to talk to her yet after last week. But I guess it’s time to rip this bandaid off.

“Just Simon.”

She makes a face I pretend I didn’t see.

My phone buzzes again.

A video this time.

Theo is on the exam table with huge headphones over his ears. The saw is loud even through the speaker. I turn it down. His eyes are huge. Simon is right beside him

“Look at Daddy."

Theo looks at him immediately. He looks terrified.

“You’re okay. It’s just loud.”