I wake up beside Alexa for the second morning in a row and I marvel at the novelty. Up until now, I've never actually slept through the night in the same bed with someone.
When Allegra and I first met, she was still living with her strict Italian parents and had a curfew, and for most of the time we knew each other, she was being courted by my brother, so we were sneaking around, stealing quick moments. When she would visit me in Chicago, she was already married and it just seemed appropriate that I give her a room of her own.
I realize now that from the moment she said 'I do' I held back a part of myself. I would visit her in her room, but I would never stay, and she would never ask. I can't believe that realization didn't hit me until this moment. I look over at Alexa, sleeping peace
