KE

and my agent said they paid well. Quarter past five, I took the bus and a

th his best friends, probably drinking again. I locked the gates and scan

rm confines of my bedroom-the bigger one among the

the ringing noise to end, eag

e with th

me now. H

s voice thinned. "The doctors d

n. I scratched my forehea

" Jill sighed. Her long exhalation made static noises

unsure of what else to say. "

you'd lik

home. I missed our dad, his gruff but endearing voice, seeing his graying head of hair bowed next to our living room

many times we'd long forgotten the count. At the momen

eed to be removed

hem with meds, then maybe chemo," my siste

fly out, but, I still

soned with a gentler tone.

toe now. My pitch-black room remained soundless when we didn't speak for a wh

work. Thank God." Jill's voice over the line sounded groggy

ll again

t letter from

d. "Someone from the university questi

echoed. "You subm

cour

certificate? What

n't feel like crying anymore. Talking to my sister always had that

it out tomor

ank

said goodbye

ow, enjoying the warmth the thick blanket provided. I ke

but it was him. His BMW's engine just had that distinct

29

having a good time with his best friends. The absence of

nd shut. Instead of Miles' voice, another guy downstairs was mumb

irectly above it. Heavy, dull noises of metal hitting against metal f

ed friends over, and he seldom let anyone else in his house. Not

ses from the living room. I buried myself under the padded blanket. I started my night

hts of my dad's hospitalization still disturbed my peace of mind, but my

making discreet noises t

le

made any noise as he walked into my room and carefully clo

nue praying, opting to ignore his presence in the room. The bed was near th

d to my left. I knew it was just Miles; his scent was unique, crisp but mild

he'd been sweating so much the past few hours. Where in the city had h

under the blanket when he grab

. Hastily, he picked up my phone and proceeded to the othe

l too dark that I could only make out his slumped figure on the floor. His back leaned

still and speechless on the bed. I kept my breathing q

ow gave me a clearer view of his face. His stubble loo

ket touched my nose this time. I didn't make any sudden movements, careful not

iles muttered to himself before d

left me more curious and puzzled. I watched him fr

e pit of my stomach. I didn't like the feel

house. But his actions and impulsive behavior

nt prayers, hoping the anxiety would just leave me alone. But I

MIL

e actua

ouldn't tear my eyes away from the blurry phone screen. Past eleven in the morning. The

days from now, and the timestamp on Mamma's text was h

to the bathroom, I rushed to type

lp the scowl that stayed on my lips while I brushed my teeth. In five mi

nute, appreciating the neutral tones I'd personally picked as a

esitation-everything looked tidy and pristine enough for my parents' immaculate ta

called Paul and I had some fun with the Xbox and one of

messy-haired blond guy in a sleeveless shirt

oice called out from the

nd hoped for a pleasant smile from her. I'd been drinking the hard stuff for hours the previous night, but I co

sat in the corner chair. Her jaw-length hair looked damp. Her blouse revealed her cream-smooth

My concentration flitted from the events of last night to the alarming thought of my parents al

race to the front door. "Eat something," she mumbled with a

tempted me to sit beside her for

e repeated. "

ning area remained noiseless, and I still couldn't look her in the eyes. I'd been all over the p

llowing the last of her meal. She stared at me until I mus

ck on the table and checked my phone for any new m

d to hide a worried look. "Why didn't th

r on the side of her lips, catching

you here

velte arms to embrace me. The cool wind made her long brown locks a bit frizzy, and her co

I woke u

ull lips and makeup-free face wrink

Two brawny guys dawdled to their sides, their pretense of being just another passenger am

me as he stood n

rked with a slight frown that

ght smile. It made his slightly grayi

urprising. Him calling me by my childhood nickname instead of the usual "bambino" was enough i

mply nodded to their security detail. In seconds, their bul

dismissing my increasing heart rate while keeping qui

my Pappa Stefano's stiff 5'10" build, my Mamma Eleana stepped forward and smiled wid

lips together and

wiftly spread her arms for effect. Her smil