vehement

24

• AMALIA •

I end up falling asleep. When I wake up, Hannah is no longer here but Enzo is. He's got his face right next to mine, and his arm is slung over my chest. I rub his little back for a few minutes before he wakes up.

"Mama." He whispers.

"Hm?"

"Mama," he whines.

"What's wrong?"

"Don't leave me." He whispers sadly.

     "I'm not going anywhere." I tell him.

     He snuggles into me again, and I kiss his forehead. I continue to rub his back until I eventually fall back asleep.

     When I wake up, it's dark outside but the TV is playing. Enzo is watching it, eating from a plate of food in front of him. He giggles at something on the TV and I smile.

     "Enzo." I say softly.

     He looks over at me and smiles. "Mama." He abandons his food and crawls over to me, tucking himself under my arm. "Mama, let's go sleep."

"Okay." I whisper, sort of in a daze. I hold him tighter, then close my eyes, only to be woken up some time later by the sound of the door opening and closing.

I crack my eyes open, looking up at Archer. He sets something down on the bed, then grins—but not at me: Enzo. "Here you go." He says, his voice soft and deep and gentle.

He stands up straight, then looks over at me. "Sorry, did I wake you up?"

I shake my head, pushing myself so I'm not fully laying down anymore. I glance at Enzo, who's sitting beside me, playing with action figures.

"What time is it?" I croak out.

"Almost ten p.m."

I squint my eyes. "Enzo should be sleeping."

"No mama."

I sigh.

"Do you want me to take him to his room?" Archer asks.

I shake my head immediately. I want him to be here with me, where I can make sure he's okay. I set a hand on my son's shoulder and rub it in small circles, and he leans into me as he plays with his toys.

"Okay. Why don't I get you some food then? You haven't eaten since earlier."

"Alright." I whisper.

He leaves the room, and I tuck Enzo in closer to me. "I love you." I say.

     He looks up at me and grins sleepily. "I love you too, mama."

     I smile. A few minutes pass before Archer returns. He has a tray of food in his hands, and he sets it down on my lap, along with a glass of water.

"Thank you."

"It's okay." He responds. "Are you feeling alright? Do you want any of your painkillers?"