na

away in a flat, rig

shipping. That was the cheap price of severing a

exposed cheeks. I felt strangely, terrifyingly light. The he

my small savings account and my final will. The other went to Dante, c

if pulled by lead weights. The energy burst-that terminal

uzzed agai

nna. Of co

e close-up of Dante sleeping. His face

reams of our son. What

iar stab of jealousy. I didn't feel the urge to

ed the

ought-iron gates opened automatica

e outside, but the house felt like a tomb. I sat on th

ut the old leather journal I had f

age. The handwriting in the b

s blood on his knuckles and sadne

The entries became shorter, s

e didn't com

alone in a house

ling now. The pain in my abdomen was a screami

one fi

to go. I wish I nev

ed the

ainting the sky in bru

ocket. I didn't bother counting the pil

the freezing

de. It was replaced by a warm,

s grew

He was wearing a leather jacket that was two sizes

ut not the Don.

udio apartment. The boy wh

reaching out a han

mil

k his

there was