Two months later, Santino was discharged from the hospital.
His right hand was healing well, though he still couldn’t lift anything heavy. That didn’t stop him from trying to drive with one hand, which got him scolded by Mama more than once.
Every day, I wore pajamas and sat in the yard soaking up the sun, holding the stuffed bear Mama had bought me while watching TV.
I ate two servings of pasta at dinner and took slow walks around the estate afterward.
My brothers took turns coming home to keep me company.
One slipped me cash.
One brought gifts.
One insisted on teaching me golf.
Papa watched me for days, clearly wanting to say something.
“Vivi, do you want to learn something? Painting? Piano?”
“Dad, I learned anatomy.”
“…”
“I’m kidding.”
He gave a helpless smile and reached o
