Nan finds me sitting at the edge of Natalia’s bed, still holding her hand for what feels like forever. My mind keeps drifting to the good times, and the sense of loss I feel weighs heavy on me.
“I’ve sent Marcello and Theo on a little errand.” Nan says, lowering herself gracefully on Theo’s bed, and gripping her bamboo walking stick with both hands.
“Thank you.” I say to her, my voice hoarse. But I’m not sure exactly what I’m thanking her for. Letting me have a private moment with my friend? Granting us shelter when she didn’t owe us anything and could very well kick us out —her grandson and granddaughter excluded of course, or was I thanking her for simply existing?
She takes the white wool blanket tossed carelessly on Theo’s bed and begins to fold it. “Her body has gone through a hard
