The knock came gently just as she was about to turn in to sleep.
“Maddie?”
“It's not Maddie,” returned the voice, temporarily shocking her.
She got down from the bed and padded to the door, pulling it open. It was Giovanni, wearing pajamas, and for the first time looking less than a hardened god and more like a human.
He spoke first. “I apologize for not coming in earlier to check on you.”
“Don't worry,” she replied, “Emilio already did that a couple of times.”
If he detected the anger in her voice, he ignored it. “May I come in?”
“You don't have to.” It would have been better if he hadn't come at all. His presence had no usefulness now.
“How do you feel?”
“I feel alright. The results at the hospital came out fine and Emilio's tonic helped.” The results had also told her that he
