Chapter 14 - THE PROMISE BESIDE THE HOSPITAL BED
My mother died the following spring.
Peacefully.
At home.
With me holding one hand and Sofia holding the other.
Alessandro stood beside us.
He didn't try to fix anything.
Didn't offer money.
Didn't make promises he couldn't keep.
He simply stayed.
After the funeral, I stopped going to work for several days.
I couldn't bear the thought of serving coffee while the world continued as though nothing had happened.
One evening, Alessandro found me sitting on the kitchen floor.
I was holding my mother's old sweater.
He sat beside me.
Didn't speak.
Didn't ask me to be strong.
Just sat.
Finally, I whispered:
“I don't know what to do without her.”
He took my hand.
“You don't have to know tonight.”
I began crying.
He held me.
And for the first time since my mother became ill, I allowed someone else to carry part of the weight.
Weeks later, I returned to Rosie's.
Rosa hugged me.
Dana cried.
And Alessandro waited in booth four.
He smiled when I approached.
“Coffee?”
I laughed through tears.
“Black?”
He nodded.
“Always.”
I poured it.
May you like
Then sat beside him.
And for the first time, I kissed him.
