Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"My dad told me he and Mom aren't divorced! Mom is still Dad's wife! She's still my mom!"

Irwin clung to Briony, glaring at James with fierce defiance. "Mom raised me all by herself, and she loves me! You're just passing through! You won't get to act all high and mighty for long!"

James stared at him, speechless.

Like father, like son, he thought bitterly. The stubbornness, the way they twisted things until everyone hated them-irritating in exactly the same way.

Exasperated, James raked a hand through his hair and turned to Briony. "So what now?"

"I'll take him over," Briony replied, reaching for Irwin's hand.

But just as she turned, Rosita had already slipped on her sunglasses, grabbed her purse, and strode briskly toward the door, moving so quickly it was clear she was desperate not to be stopped.

Briony paused, watching Rosita's retreating figure, and couldn't help but wrinkle her nose in annoyance.

“See?” James snapped, pointing at Rosita's back. "That's the wonderful 'Mom Rosita' you keep bragging about! Yet she can't even bring herself to admit you're her son in public!"

Irwin could only stare, stunned, at Rosita's shrinking silhouette.

pulled up for Rosita. She climbed in without a backward glance. The van moved off into the night, taking her with

face was now etched with confusion as

said, ruffling Irwin's

let out a wail

heads turned their way, some with annoyance, others with open

gone, and Irwin had been left

his mom, the restaurant manager had little choice

sighed, resigned, and

front of his kid-sized steak, eyes flicking

I can't cut my steak. Can you help

now. Big kids should learn to cut their

head and muttered, "But Mom Rosita always helps

remembered how Rosita had just left him and,

a tantrum. He just sniffled quietly, his small shoulders shaking as he tried

helplessness. "Sheesh. Are you a boy or not? All you do is

plate over,

do my good deed for the day and drive you