Muffins and Strawberry walked back inside, where Carlotta was now sitting at their table. Honky was staring at her in awe.
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"Yeah, I don't know" Carlotta was saying. "He's a good dad, but he's a bum, and I'm sick of it"
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"Why don't you just leave him?" Stitch asked. "You said he cheats on you?"
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"I don't want my kids to have divorced parents" Carlotta shrugged. "I banged this black guy that I met on Tinder last week"
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Honky's eyes got really wide. "Are you using protection with these Tinder dudes?" he asked.
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"Of course, Honky" Carlotta rolled her eyes. "I learned my lesson when I got pregnant with McKayla"
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"You have three kids, though" Strawberry pointed out.
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"Yeah, I don't know what happened" Carlotta shrugged. "I guess I got carried away. I do regret marrying him, though"
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"Carlotta, would you maybe wanna grab lunch tomorrow?" Honky asked.
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"Sure, that sounds nice" Carlotta smiled.
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Strudel came up behind Pancake. "Hey, Pan, I'm gonna head home" he said. "I was wondering if you wanted to follow me, or I can send you my address?"
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"I'll follow you" Pancake stood up. "It was nice seeing all of you" she said to the rest of the table.
Everyone waved goodbye, with skeptical looks on their faces. Was it really in Pancake's best interest to go home with Strudel?
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Once outside, Strudel walked Pancake to her car. "I'm in that blue Cruze over there" he said, pointing to his car. "Here, put your number in my phone and I'll send you a text so you have my number"
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Pancake put her number in Strudel's phone.
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"Okay, I just sent you a text, so I'll see you at my place in a few" Strudel smiled.
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Pancake followed him to his house about five minutes away. Strudel's house was beautiful, and pretty big.
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"Wow, Strudel" Pancake said, getting out of her car. "This is a really nice place"
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"Thanks" Strudel smiled, as he led her inside. "It's got four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, full basement. I bought this house in 2012 which is what made me realize I wanted to work in real estate. I love that you came over so we can catch up. Can I get you a drink?"
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"I'll have a water" Pancake laughed.
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"Coming right up" Strudel grabbed a beer for himself, and a water for Pancake, and led her into the living room, where they sat down on the couch.
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"So, you've heard all about me" Pancake said. "Catch me up on you, Strudel. What have you been up to these past ten years?"
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"Well, I actually worked maintenance at the hospital for a few years" Strudel said. "Once I turned 21, I finally got a very generous amount of money that my dad had left for me. I was sick of living with my mom and brother. It took me awhile after getting the money, but I finally found this house, and I just fell in love with it. I bought it, and my realtor Kelsey was so amazing. We actually dated for awhile, and she helped me get my realtor's license and everything"
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"Why'd you guys break up?" Pancake asked.
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"Well, she was a bit older than me" Strudel said. "When we first started dating, I was 23 and she was 28. I had been single since me and Pixie broke up. She wanted a ring like right away, I'm pretty sure. We had a good three and a half years together. I had a ring. I was going to propose to her in the Bahama's. But right before I booked the flight and hotel, she decided to tell me that this isn't what she wanted. I told her I was about to book us a romantic vacation to the Bahama's. She told me she couldn't do this anymore. I told her I had a ring. She said she wanted to be pregnant. I said we could try for a baby. She told me I needed to get my mental health under control. She said I was in denial about having mental health problems. So I saw a psychiatrist and found out that I'm bipolar. Kelsey had originally told me that once I got my mental health under control that we could possibly get back together and take that vacation. It took me a good six months to find meds that worked for me. Kelsey and I met up for lunch. She told me she was so proud of me. Then she told me she was pregnant and engaged. So I missed my shot. She had moved on that fast. I've been in therapy. I never realized how much my dad dying when I was a kid truly affected me"
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"I'm sorry, Strudel" Pancake said. "I know how devastating that must have been for you. My divorce shattered me and made my addiction spiral. I can imagine the toll it must have taken on your mental health, but for what it's worth, I'm proud of you"
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Strudel smiled and set his beer down. "I'm really glad you came over tonight, Pancake" he said. "I really never thought I'd see you again"
He offered his arm out, and Pancake scooted closer to him so he could put his arm around her.
She looked at him and kissed him without any hesitation.
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