vorce papers th

ashing down the reality of it with

ofia. Her surgery had been a success. Of course i

lready

ain, a dull throb buried deep in my flank that radiated

have much

silk clothes he had bought to dress his

e. I took my passport. And I too

d against the

a new

rnalism Award for bra

er hospital bed, her bandaged hand held up like a t

a King survey

hone down,

nt door

ed in. He

ept over the bag

ing," he said, his v

the papers," I replied

that predatory grace I used to admire. He poured

," he announced. "The medical wing is

"Of cour

something," Dante sa

down hard enoug

amily gave him posthumously. She says she left

him, truly l

nd

ou took it,"

thless, incredulous soun

r's medal?" I asked. "I hav

nte countered, stepping closer.

t take i

e commanded. His voic

't hav

on the counter, makin

medal is sacred! It repr

d back, the grief finally pi

my arm. His

me toward t

asped, stumbling as my le

tyard," h

me out int

hysical weight pressing down on the earth

til you remember where

tone patio. There was no shade. O

fluttering in my chest.

can come inside,

and locked the glass sliding

ood

elt personal, like a heavy ha

n my back, soaking

. Sharp, stabbing pain

tchen. He was watchin

ting for m

d for

ar in my ears, drown

spots danced in front of

confess to a cri

to give him tha

through the glas

checking

es gav

tio rushed u

feel th

sweet, dark reli