Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"Mummy! What made you take so long?" Rayen jumps in my arms as I hold back a groan.

I swear periods were enemies sent to kill us but found us stronger, so they settled for torture instead.

Because what the hell am I feeling this kind of pain for?

"We had to check for something, buddy. Come here!" Alex saves me again.

Have you ever felt like asking the ground to open up and swallow you whole? That's exactly how I'm feeling.

I'm so shy, I can't face him. Which is crazy because I'm a doctor. These things shouldn't bother me.

"My camping tent is huge and warm. I'm sharing it with my best friend! Wanna see?" Rayen asks, and I hold back a laugh.

This boy has more energy than I'll ever have.

"Yes, sure. But I didn't know you had a best friend, who is it?" Alex asks.

“Kai Sinclair. He just came to our school and is super fun!" Rayen bounces as we walk to his tent.

The setup is really camp like except that the tents have been made inside the huge hotel with security so tight no one goes around without an ID.

I doubt Alex understands the word camping.

"When you said camping, I thought it's the one everyone goes to. But I should have known nothing is the same with you, I mean, you created an artificial forest!"

I can't help but laugh at how crazy this is.

“I think it's a win-win situation. The kids get to have fun, and we get to keep them safe." He shrugs.

I shake my head but say nothing. At this point, I'm tongue-tied.

We step into the giant ballroom-turned-forest-fantasy, where massive artificial

trees line the walls, and soft green carpeting pretends to be grass.

Fairy lights twinkle from the ceiling like stars, and a few fake animal sounds echo faintly from hidden speakers.

It's extra but kind of adorable.

Rayen races ahead of us, nearly tripping over one of the tree roots made out of foam.

"Careful!" Alex and I speak at the same time.

"There! That's mine!" Rayen says, pointing proudly at a tent with his name

scribbled in glittery letters above it. "And that's Kai's!" He gestures to the one right next to it.

"Rayen!" A little boy calls for him, making us both turn as they run towards each other.

Behind him is Rose.

that her son goes here

"Rose?"

me into a

your son goes

She laughs,

changed schools. It's all Caleb's

"Caleb?"

to play soccer and insists on changing schools. Apparently, being nine means not going to

I better start that count down,

She responds before we both burst

deep voice speaks

up, her expression suddenly guarded,

her before turning to face me, "Do

I

to leave me the hell

is able to get any more words out, we hear clapping of

calls out, dressed in an actual ranger outfit, complete with a wide-brimmed hat and a fake

some classic campsite

like a

turns into level one chaos. One corner becomes a pretend fishing station with magnetic rods and floating paper fish.

the kids into small groups and hand them scavenger hunt cards decorated with

both of them screaming something about finding a glow

they're having fun," Rose says,

laugh, watching Rayen pile leave into a bucket like

they made

of laughter as

parents

glue guns, and others

like he owns the forest.

manages

girl ties a friendship bracelet

glances at me and mouths "Help

when I call for a group of girls

corner.

Do you wanna paint someone's face?" I

child ever says no

jump

smile grows, "See that man

with blond hair? He said

shy so when no, just he say cry and he will know you

s

so fun!" One of the girls says

enjoying torturing him, aren't you?" Rose says by

the horrific expression on Alex's face when the

once.

cry... I didn't mean it like that...shit!" He

his gaze as I respond