From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 05
Sofia tugged at the edge of her blanket and said softly, “That place is forty miles away. Isn’t that too much trouble for my sister? It’s okay, I don’t have to have it.”
“It’s no trouble.” Matteo gently took her hand, then looked up at me. “Talia’s always been considerate. Just don’t start another fight with Sofia over a flowerpot like you did yesterday.”
I lowered my eyes to my now-flat stomach and smiled.
“I won’t.”
The surgery had erased the last bit of hesitation I had left.
Matteo seemed reassured. He stood and slipped an arm around my waist as he walked me out.
“I’ll call you an Uber. And remember—no onions. Sofia doesn’t like them.”
“Okay.”
When he saw I was still expressionless, he pinched my cheek.
“I know you’ve had a hard time these past few days. Once Sofia’s better, I’ll spend some real time with you.”
“Okay.”
I got into the car calmly.
The moment the door shut, a flicker of unease crossed Matteo’s face. He reached out, his hand resting on the car door as he looked at me.
“Talia, come back soon.”
This time, I didn’t answer.
I only smiled, then rolled up the window.
As the car pulled away, I watched his figure shrink in the rearview mirror and said to the driver, “Please change the destination to JFK Airport.”