Chapter 2 - THE BROTHER WHO WALKED AWAY
Massimo's younger brother was named Luca Pascale.
Thirty-two.
Charming.
Educated.
And, according to the household staff, the only person who could enter Massimo's study without knocking.
He arrived halfway through my second appointment.
I was measuring Massimo's available movement and reviewing his surgical precautions when Luca appeared in the doorway wearing a navy suit and an expensive smile.
“So you're the new miracle worker.”
I didn't look up.
“I'm the rehabilitation specialist.”
Luca laughed.
“Same difference.”
“Not remotely.”
Massimo's mouth twitched.
Luca stepped closer.
“Careful, Elena. My brother doesn't enjoy being corrected.”
“Then he's going to have a difficult three months.”
Massimo laughed again.
Luca didn't.
I noticed.
It was a small thing.
A momentary tightening around his eyes.
But it vanished almost immediately.
Luca looked at Massimo.
“Board meeting at four.”
“Cancel it.”
“We can't keep canceling everything.”
“Watch me.”
Luca sighed.
“Brother, the family needs you.”
Massimo's expression hardened.
“The family needs my signature.”
Silence.
Then Luca smiled.
“Whatever you say.”
He left.
I waited until his footsteps disappeared.
“You don't like him,” Massimo said.
“I don't know him.”
“You looked at him like you were measuring a snake.”
I shrugged.
“Occupational hazard.”
“Physical therapists study snakes?”
“Only the ones that interrupt appointments.”
Massimo laughed.
Then the laughter faded.
“He was driving that night.”
I looked at him.
“Luca?”
He nodded.
“We were coming back from a meeting outside Providence.”
“What happened?”
“He says the brakes failed.”
“And you?”
Massimo stared at his hands.
“I don't remember the crash.”
He swallowed.
“Only waking up underwater.”
My stomach tightened.
“Underwater?”
“The car went through the barrier into the river.”
He closed his eyes.
“I remember trying to move my legs.”
His voice dropped.
“And realizing I couldn't.”
For a long moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I said quietly:
“We don't have to talk about it today.”
Massimo opened his eyes.
“Good.”
I reached for my notes.
“Because today we're working on sitting balance.”
He stared.
“That's it?”
“That's enough.”
He looked offended.
“I used to run half-marathons.”
“And today we're starting where your body is.”
His jaw tightened.
May you like
Then he nodded.
It was the first time Massimo Pascale agreed to do something he couldn't control.
