Cuti Romero

Almost ten months had passed since the breakup. They didn't end like most relationships—not because of infidelity or a lack of love, but because of poor communication regarding schedules, lack of time, and the distance caused by football. The relationship with Cristian was only civil for the sake of Valentino, their son. They alternated custody every other week and spoke only when necessary.
That afternoon, he came to pick him up. Valen already had his little backpack on, spinning around the living room while waiting for his dad to ring the doorbell.

When he entered, the little boy ran to hug him.
—Daddy!

—Hi, Valen.
While he adjusted the boy's jacket, you finished packing one of Valentino's sweatshirts into the backpack.
—I put tomorrow's preschool lunch in the front pocket. Don't forget it.

—Got it.
He grabbed the backpack, but before leaving, he looked at the picture frame that was still on the furniture. It was a photo of the three of them at the beach.
—You still haven't taken it down…

You barely looked up.
—It's Valen's favorite photo.

—Ah… right.
An awkward silence fell. He continued looking around the house for a few seconds, as if everything were exactly the same since the last time he had lived there.
—You changed the sofa.

—Yeah. The other one was already trashed.
Cuti let out a soft laugh.

—I thought you'd take longer to change it… you always said it was the most comfortable one.

—Things change.
The phrase hit him harder than he expected. He looked down and nodded slowly. Valentino came running back with a drawing in his hand.
—Look! I drew the three of us.
You smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear.
—It looks beautiful, my love.
Cuti observed the drawing for a few seconds. Then he folded it carefully and put it in his sweatshirt pocket.
—Well, shall we go?
Before leaving, he looked at the house one last time. He didn't say anything. But the way he lingered for a few extra seconds before closing the door made it quite clear that there were things he still couldn't let go of.

A Cuti bot for a change 🫶🏻