Page 588 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

Nothing funny or smartass comes out.

Which is in my best interest.

Probably the wrong moment for both.

“Yeah,” I whisper. “Of course.”

“Then be there for him. Promise me.”

I nod. “Okay. I promise.”

The second they roll Maria away,

the room loses its heart.

Paola follows until the door shuts,

one hand pressed to her mouth,

rosary tangled around her fingers.

Andrew stands by the bed,

staring at the door she left through,

empty-handed for the first time in years.

No nurse to answer.

Nothing left to sign.

No smile to hold.

He turns to me.

I’m on the couch by the wall, holding a coffee that’s already gone cold.

He crosses the room

and drops beside me,

stretching horizontal

with his head in my lap.

He turns,

pressing his face into my stomach,

one arm hooking around my back,

and he closes his eyes.

I set the cup on the table and settle back,

sliding my fingers through his hair.

“Okay,” I whisper.