“Bruno, I trust you'll do what's right, if you think that man is not the solution, then we'll find another way.”
He looks at me for a few moments, presses his lips hard, his eyes shine, there's something he doesn't want to say.
“You became a man, Dante. The last time I saw you, you were a skeleton full of pimples.” A half-smile runs up the right side of his face.
“I had no choice but to grow up Bruno... those people...” my throat is tight enough to stop me from talking, at least Amira is not in the room to watch me break down.
Bruno stretches out his hand over the table and holds my arm.
“I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I can't change your past, but I can help your future with everything you need, I want you to know that you can count on me. I never want you to feel alone again, we're family.”
His words hold me close again, making me feel comfortable and welcome new sensations for my body. A tear falls down my face, I take it away quickly when Amira enters the room.
“Bruno!” she shouts. “It's Sarah!”
We both get up from our chairs and run to the couch. I'm expecting to see blood or convulsions, even the worst, but what we find is just the opposite.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Shouts Bruno out as he runs to hold her.
Sarah is walking around the room, using objects around her as a crutch.
“I can't stay on that damn couch Bruno, my legs need to move, either get out of my way or help me walk.”
I try to keep the laughter in my chest, but it's too hard, Sarah is a tough woman, either you run, or you move away before she runs you over. My brother doesn't have much choice but to help her, his eyes are burning, and he sighs constantly while helping her. But I admire Sarah for how brave she is. You can see she's in physical pain, but she keeps walking.
“Amira.” Bruno calls her as he holds Sarah by the elbow. “The good man gave me some burkas; can you bring us one?I don't want my wife walking around in this torn dress.”
As soon as he says the words, he closes his eyes tight, hoping that somehow no one has heard what he said.
Amira stops at the doorway.
The air and time cease to exist, both look nervous without knowing what to say, or what to do, but as always, Sarah is the one who takes the first step.
“Wife?” she asks, as embarrassed as he is.
“I didn't say wife.” Bruno quickly replies, as he looks away.
He releases her arm and walks away from her while rubbing his face with his hands, a gesture I had noticed he makes every time he is uneasy.
“Dante,” she calls me with a smirk on her face. “He said wife, right?”
“Yes, Sarah, he did.” I answer, trying to hold back my smile.
Bruno gives me one of his ‘you're dead’ looks.
Finally, Bruno sighs, defeated.
“Fuck! I was waiting to get home to propose to you, now it's ruined.”
Sarah looks at him with love. My brother looks embarrassed; she walks to him, runs her arms around his thick neck, and whispers something to him that makes him blush.
The atmosphere suddenly becomes a happy place. Somehow I know her answer was a "yes," we all feel that way.
Bruno celebrates by kissing his future wife very tenderly. I smile not only because of them but also for being able to share such an important moment in my brother’s life, the man I had forgotten but who little by little has a place in my life and heart again.
Amira is still at the doorway, her arms are crossed under her breasts, her expression is pure joy as is mine, our glances meet for a moment, it's amazing how much can be said with just a glance.
I want that with you; I want your arms around me; I want your kisses...I want your love...
She walks away from us to go find what Bruno had asked for.
She's not thinking what I'm thinking.
Plant your feet on the ground Dante, an angel can never look at a demon from above.
