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I walked into the room on my tiptoes, making no sound, and the image shocked me. Adrian was in a hospital bed hooked to what looked like ten machines and there was an oxygen mask covering his mouth and nose. Seeing him like this immediately brought tears to my eyes. I haven’t seen him in four years, but the man lying in that bed was not the one I remembered. Time was cruel to him.
Salvatore was next to the bed with his head down and his eyes closed, holding on to his father’s hand, so I walked to him slowly and placed a hand on his shoulder with gentleness to not startle him.
“Sasa.”
His eyes snapped open when he heard my voice and he jumped up on his feet.
“You’re here.”
“Yes.” I chained his neck with my arms and pulled him to me. “Yes, I am.”
“How?”
“Pietro found me.”
Salvatore took my face in his hands and looked at me like he couldn’t believe his eyes. “I’ve been praying for you to come.”
“Oh, Sasa.” I pushed him back in the chair and sat in his lap. “Last time we talked, you said you’ll be there for me whenever I need it.”
“Yes.”
“Now you need me.”
His arms squeezed me. Hard. “Mio tesoro.[24]”
“How is he?”
“Not well. It’s a waiting game now.”
“I’m so sorry, Salvatore.”
“It is what it is. At least he’s not in pain.” He took my hand to his lips and kissed it. “How long can you stay,Tesoro?”
“As long as you need me.”
The corner of his mouth raised in a sleek side-smile and I realized that I stepped into a trap.
“Did you pack a bag, Grazi? Because I need youforever.”
I sighed, melting in his arms. He made things so much harder. It didn’t matter if we were fighting or making love, he always managed to say things like this – things that weakened my knees to the point where he had to carry me.
“Do you need me to get you anything, Sasa?”
“No.” He looked at the vitals monitor next to his father’s head. “His heart rate is slower by the minute. Can you stay here while I make a phone call? It’s time to let thefamigliaknow.”
“I’ll stay with him.” We got up together and he brushed his lips over mine. “Salvatore, no one can know I’m here.”
“I wouldn’t let that happen.”
“Ok.”
He left the room and I took his place by his father’s bed. A million memories come to my mind from my childhood years and Adrian was in every single one of them. He was the one who bought me my first bike and taught me how to ride it, the one who took my side when I broke Garon’s nose with a rock because I had a poor aim. He taught my brothers how to fight and watch their backs. He got them out of trouble every time. We were all losing someone tonight, no matter what my father said the other day.
My lids became heavy and when I closed them, warm tears gathered under my chin. I tried to control myself, but my sobs were loud enough to wake Adrian and he made a growling sound. When he started to fight the mask, I put my hand over his trying to stop him.
“No, you shouldn’t do that.”
Of course he didn’t listen.
