The Bad Penny

Don’t go getting all excited.
Yeah, it’s me. And it’s been a while. Seven years, by my count. So much has happened, and yet, so much is the same. Like a bad penny– you just can’t seem to get rid of me.
I now have two daughters: One 18 (Emily), and one 3 (Harper). I hate having to explain that Emily is mine by marriage, because as far as I’m concerned, she is my flesh and blood. Most of the time I don’t explain it—I just let people think what they will.
Also: Today is my fifth wedding anniversary. But as of four months ago, I am no longer married. It didn’t dawn on me until yesterday that today was The Day. But today, the weather outside is playing devil’s advocate. It’s cold and rainy and dreary. And right now Gladys Knight is singing such a sad, sad song to me.
My ex and I split time with the girls, 50/50. This is her weekend. The rest of my weekend is full to the brim (college football game on Saturday, and NFL game on Sunday). But tonight, I’ll go home to a cat (Sasha), and a dog (Bella—inherited in the divorce), and a big ol’ empty house (also inherited in the divorce).
It’s really not as dreadful as it sounds, though. Last year was my motherfucker of a year. I aged like 20 years in 2012. But—against all odds— I stuck the fucking landing this year. I’d do backflips, but I’m pretty fucking exhausted.
So I’m sure you all want details. And if I decide to stick around, you’ll get them here and there. I’ll just say this in my defense: I was a good husband. I just wasn’t the right husband.
So after a brief period spent in captivity, the Silverback is back in the wild. I’m a step slower, a bit more gray, and a whole lot more battle-tested. But I’ve still got a few tricks up my sleeve.