"Since she came." He leans against the wall again. "You're less..."
"Less what?"
"Less dead."
He's right.
Before Antonella, I was going through the motions. Existing without living. Breathing without feeling. I woke up every morning wondering why I bothered. I went to sleep every night hoping I wouldn't wake up.
Now I wake up reaching for her.
Now I go to sleep with her warmth against my chest.
Now I have something to fight for.
Someone to fight for.
"She doesn't know," I say. "About this. About the progress."
"Why not?"
"Because I want to surprise her." I grip the wheels tighter. "I want to walk to her. Actually walk. Not shuffle. Not stumble. Walk."
"That could take months."
"Then it takes months."
"Bruno—"
"I've waited long, Valentino. I can wait a few more months."
He studies me. That assessing look he gets when he's trying to figure out if I'm being stubborn or stupid.
"She loves you," he says finally.
The words stop me cold.
"What?"
"Antonella. She loves you." Valentino shrugs like he's commenting on the weather. "Anyone with eyes can see it."
I don't respond.
Can't.
She loves me.
And I?—
I don't know what I feel.
That's a lie.
I know exactly what I feel.
I'm just terrified to name it.
"Go shower," Valentino says. "You smell like a gym."
