Page 288 of Dante
The question hits me somewhere deep. Brothers and sisters.
I look at Marina. She squeezes my hand. Her eyes are warm. Encouraging.
"Four brothers," I say. "And a sister."
Helen's hand goes to her chest. "Four brothers! My goodness. Your mother must have had her hands full."
Something twists in my chest.
"She did," I manage. "She does."
Marina steps closer to her parents. "Mom, Dad, we need to go. The baby?—"
"Of course, of course." Helen sets down her cup and pulls Marina into a hug. "Go. Be with your family."
Your family.
The words echo in my head.
Richard shakes my hand again. His grip is firm. Steady.
"Take care of her," he says.
"Always."
Helen hugs me next. I'm more prepared this time. My arms come up faster. Hold her properly.
"Come back soon," she whispers. "Both of you."
"We will."
Marina kisses her father's cheek, then her mother's. She's already moving toward the door, pulling me with her.
"Call us when the baby arrives!" Helen calls after us.
"I will!" Marina waves over her shoulder.
We're out the door and down the porch steps in seconds. The car waits in the driveway. Marina practically runs to the passenger side.
I slide behind the wheel and start the engine.
"How far is Northwestern from here?" Marina asks, buckling her seatbelt.
"Six hours. Maybe five if I push it."
"Push it."
I pull out of the driveway. Helen and Richard stand on the porch, waving. Marina waves back until we turn the corner and they disappear from view.
Marina
We've been here for seven hours. My back aches from the plastic chair. My eyes burn from exhaustion.
But I'm not leaving.
Sophia sits beside me. Lorenzo paces by the window. Bruno leans against the wall, arms crossed, watching the door like it might attack. Nico stands near the vending machine, his phone in his hand.
Antonella dozes in the chair next to Bruno, her own pregnant belly round beneath her sweater. Kristen went home hours ago to be with Lily, but she made us promise to call the moment the baby arrived.
