I haven’t been celibate since Anna passed. I’ve been with women over the years, but I’ve always been more discreet.
Any companionship I’ve sought out over the years has purely been for physical release. Maybe a little companionship from time to time.
But he’s right. I never stay overnight.
So what compelled me to stay at Victoria’s last night?
They are still assessing me.
The way sons do. The way I’ve taught them to over the years.
And because they are my sons, they know me better than anyone.
I stayed.
Not because I had to. Because I wanted to.
The realization settles over all of us.
For once, neither of them jokes.
Tomasso is the one who finally breaks the silence.
"Well."
I look at him.
A slow grin spreads across his face.
"I'm happy for you."
The words hit me hard.
Because they are sincere.
Matteo nods once.
"Me too."
I look between them.
My sons. Two grown men.
Grown men who have lived their own lives, who do not need to wait up for me or notice whether I come home, yet they do. They notice. They care.
And last night, for the first time in years, I did not come home.
Not because of business. Not because of blood. Not because of duty.
Because of a woman.
They do not ask if I am thinking of their mother.
But for one second, Anna is in the room anyway.
Not as she was at the end, lying in a pool of blood.
Before.
