Chapter 89

My heart sank a little at those images, so—

“I’m sorry, Mirko. You’ll have to get used to it.”

“But I’m still going to have a dog, right?”

I smiled at him again, although it was hard to stop thinking about what he had said earlier.

“You’ll have to think of a good name, and all that.”

“Alright. I would like to be with them.”

I was quite relieved to see that acceptance on his face; the bruises on his ego had healed a little. I took the Victorinox out of my jeans pocket and, with great care, I began to carve my son’s name next to those characters from the past.

That night, the first in our new house, the three of us slept together. The air smelled bitter and damp, but with the shared warmth of our bodies and the familiar scent of family, I think we had a better time. Mirko fell asleep very quickly and snuggled under my arm. For my part, I got the rest I needed (and without incident), and it was very nice to wake up to the sun the next morning,