And with my parents on either side of me, that was what we did.
We were back to a semblance of what was familiar, and I should’ve been content, but deep down was a gnawing ache of something missing.
Or someone.
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Bianca
It was three a.m. and I couldn’t sleep. I looked around the bedroom I had grown up in. Boxes remained unopened. Mom hadn’t touched anything. My vanity, the bed, what I’d left on them. All untouched. It was as if she was saying that I would always have a place to come home to.
I reached for my new phone and texted Sandro.
I can’t sleep.
His reply was almost instantaneous.
Sandro
Me neither.
How are you?
Fine.
I miss you.
There was no response.
I shifted on the bed and texted again.
I wish you were here.
Again, no response.
He must be busy. Disappointed, I put the phone down. Then it lit up.
Sandro
I’m outside.
What?
Street corner of your house.
I’ll let you in.
You better.
I jumped off the bed. My feet must have sprouted wings at how quickly I exited the bedroom. I had the sense to open and close the door quietly. My bedroom was on the fifth floor of my parents’ row house and it was a wonder I didn’t trip down the stairs in my race to the bottom…
Where I ran into Mom.
She had a glass of water in her hand and her hair was disheveled.
Hmm…