'Thank you,' his ex-wife said. 'But you don't understand.'

'What?'

'Becky's going to be part of a family. Even more than before.'

'Yes?'

'You don't see, do you? What will happen. That you'll be the one squeezed out. At least, that's what I'm afraid of. It's already hard for her, with you being on the other part of the state.'

He felt as if someone had slapped him across the face. 'I'm not the one on the other part of the state. You are. You're the one that moved out.'

That's old business, Sandy replied. After a moment, she continued. 'Anyway, things are going to change.'

'I don't see why…' he stammered.

'Trust me,' she said. Her tone displayed that she had considered her words carefully, far in advance. 'Less time for you. I'm sure of it. I've been thinking about it a lot.'

'But that's not the agreement.'

'The agreement can change. We knew that.'

'I don't think so, he replied, the first edge of anger sliding into his voice.

'Well,' she said abruptly, I'm not going to allow myself to get upset talking about it. We'll see.'

'But…'

'Matt, I have to go. I just wanted you to know.'

'Great, he said. 'Thanks a bunch.'

'We can discuss this later, if there's anything to discuss.'

Sure, he thought, after you've talked to attorneys and social workers and edited me out completely. He knew the thought was untrue, but it refused to be dislodged.