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Correction, Mom is taking me to keep breathing at their place.

Because I fucking promised you I wouldn’t stop breathing.

I hate you for that, you know!

And I fucking miss you so much.

Well, guess you can’t come home anymore now, huh…

Well, here I am! Breathing!

Let’s toast to that!

Woofuckinghoo!

Damn, I think I’m drunk…

Month Four.

Month Five.

Month Six.

Month seven.

Month eight.

Month nine.

Month ten.

Month eleven.

One year.

Month thirteen.

CHAPTER 5

Eleonora

Month fourteen.

“Alzati!”

I crack one eye open and flinch. My mother is opening all the drapes and windows. I already know what’s next, so I hold the blanket with all my force, but... nope, the blanket goes.

“Alzati!” She starts to shake me awake while I try to ignore her. But she is one stubborn Italian woman, and I got it all from her. “Eleonora, you get up this minute!” Her hands go to her hips.

“It is two in the afternoon! You reek of gin and sweat, and you haven’t showered in weeks!”

I turn the other way, pressing my face deeper into the pillow that smells just as bad as I do.

“Oh no, cara mia, not this time.”

She goes out of my room, and I sigh, hoping she’s done trying to force me to participate in this evil game called life. The air feels thick, stale, like it hasn’t moved in days.

Then I hear her steps come up the stairs, into the hallway, and back into my room.