“Eleven years?” I stammered, feeling my jaw drop.
“A very long eleven years,” Andrea replied, with a wry smile. “I found your note, you know. Might have taken me a few years, but I found it.”
“I waited as long as I could, but...you never came.” My voice wavered, trailing into a somber note.
Andrea had been a constant in my life, as important to me as anyone else I’d known. I'd shared everything with him—my struggles with Leonardo and my inability to connect with others. He always seemed to understand, offering quiet, steady support. Even as a child, Andrea had been strong, unshakeable in his beliefs. He’d been a beacon for me, and seeing that strength still in him now brought an odd sense of relief.
But now, I could see the sorrow carved into his face. Time had only deepened it. Grief
