Forty-seven

“Baby, what do you think of the styles I sent you?” El asks while knotting my tie. She smoothes my shirt and her hands relocate to my shoulders to massage them when I remain mute. “Five is a big number.”

The girls birthday is in three weeks. El has taken charge of the birthday arrangements. Between the office, project El, stalking Vincent and trying to sort everything before we move, I haven’t had much time for anything else. El wants to throw a big party for them, the biggest they have ever had and I am fully in support. Five is a big number but I didn’t see the designs. I have spent more time on my phone, learning Vincent’s lifestyle than I have with my wife and kids. It’s almost like the obsession I had with El at the beginning of the year. Stalking has become my thing.

“I agree with anything you choose,” I tell her. “Don’t spare any expenses, make our girls happy.” She tilts her head and