Fragments of Us

Chapter Eleven: Dante

The sun was warm against Milo’s back as he leaned against the sturdy trunk of a tree in the park, lost in the pages of his novel. The quiet afternoon was punctuated by the chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. For the first time in a while, he felt fully at ease, tucked away in this quiet corner of Portland.

Then, just as he was fully absorbed in a particularly tense scene, a shadow fell over him, blocking the sun.

   “Milo?” A familiar voice held a curious lilt, as if he were just as surprised by this encounter.

Milo pushed himself up, feeling a mix of wariness and curiosity. “Dante. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Dante chuckled, scratching the back of his neck, an old habit Milo remembered from their college days. “Yeah, well… life’s funny that way. I was walking through, and there you were, looking just as intense with that book as you did in school.” He paused, his gaze more thoughtful than mocking this time. “Mind if I sit?”

Milo gestured to the grass beside him. “Sure. Go ahead.”

As Dante settled down, they fell into a brief silence, broken only by the distant hum of the park’s activities. Finally, Dante spoke up, his tone oddly vulnerable. “It’s been a long time. I’ve been wanting to reach out, you know? To… apologize.”

Milo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Apologize?”

Dante nodded, looking down at his hands. “I was a jerk in college. To you, to Atlas. I made fun of you two… and for what? It was just ignorance. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it, especially after I realized something about myself.”

Milo’s interest piqued. He’d always known Dante as the loud, confident type, never the kind to show remorse. “What do you mean?”

Dante let out a nervous laugh. “It’s ironic, really. Three years ago, I met someone – Aarav. And he’s, well… my boyfriend. Turns out, I’m bisexual.” He looked at Milo, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. “I know, right? Life has a way of teaching you lessons when you least expect it.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of Milo’s mouth. “Life does have its ironies.”

Dante sighed, looking genuinely remorseful. “I was so harsh on you and Atlas for something I didn’t understand. It was wrong. Meeting Aarav made me realize that love isn’t something you can control, and it’s definitely not something anyone should judge.”

Milo felt a warmth in his chest, a quiet acceptance of the growth in front of him. The Dante he remembered was brash and unapologetic, yet here he was, openly admitting his mistakes. “It’s all in the past, Dante. People change, and sometimes it takes life to show us our blind spots. I’m glad you found someone who opened your eyes.”

Dante’s shoulders visibly relaxed, and he nodded, a soft smile on his face. “Thank you, Milo. Really.” He glanced away, hesitant. “And Atlas? Are you two still…?”

Milo shook his head, his voice calm. “No. That was a long time ago. We’re… friends, I guess. Or at least we’re trying to be. But it’s not what it was.”

Dante nodded, looking relieved and perhaps a bit reflective. “Well, I hope it all works out – whatever ‘it’ is.” He paused, standing up and offering Milo a hand. “Thanks for listening, Milo. And for forgiving me. I hope we could hang out sometimes, I want to introduce you to Aarav.”

Milo shook his hand, feeling lighter as he watched Dante walk away, a sense of closure settling over him. They had both come a long way from the college days, from mistakes, misunderstandings, and judgments. Life, indeed, had its way of turning people around.

Later that day, Milo met up with Lila at a bookstore, both of them wandering through the aisles with a sense of familiarity and comfort. Lila reached for a novel on the shelf, glancing over at her brother.

   “Okay, Milo,” she teased. “I think I’m due for some recommendations. What’s caught your eye recently?”

Milo grinned, picking up a well-loved copy of a classic novel. “You’d love this one. Great storytelling, and there’s a character who reminds me a little of you.”

   “Oh, charming, witty, and incredibly smart?” she quipped, flashing a grin.

   “More like annoyingly curious,” he replied with a laugh. She rolled her eyes but took the book anyway, adding it to her growing pile.

They browsed the shelves for a while longer, picking up books, flipping through pages, and sharing their thoughts on favorite authors. Lila’s laughter filled the quiet spaces of the bookstore, her lighthearted energy contagious. Milo realized how much he had missed these simple moments.

As they were heading out, Lila turned to him, her smile softening. “I’m glad you’re back, Milo. Feels like we’re finally getting our family time again.”

Milo’s chest warmed, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Me too. It’s good to be here with you and Dad.”

Back at home, Richard was up and about, moving around the house with noticeable ease. Though he still had to be cautious, there was a new energy in his step, a sign of his steady progress.

   “Look at you, Dad,” Milo remarked as he watched Richard make his way into the kitchen. “At this rate, you’ll be running marathons in no time.”

Richard laughed, a genuine and hearty sound. “Well, don’t get too excited. I’m just happy I can make it to the fridge without needing a pit stop.”

They all gathered around the dining table for dinner, sharing the food with an air of lightheartedness. It wasn’t a night for heavy conversations or serious matters. Instead, they focused on enjoying each other’s company, filling the room with laughter and joy.

Richard picked up a piece of broccoli, waving it at Milo. “Remember the time you tried to sneak all your vegetables onto Lila’s plate when you thought I wasn’t looking?”

Lila burst into laughter. “Oh, I remember! He thought he was so slick.”

Milo raised his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, I was a kid! Broccoli wasn’t exactly my favorite back then.”

Richard shook his head, smiling. “I knew all along. I just let you get away with it because you looked so determined.”

Lila leaned in, grinning. “Dad, you’re way too soft on him. I, on the other hand, am completely immune to his charm.”

Milo shot her a playful glare. “You wish.”

The banter continued, each of them sharing stories and memories, teasing each other with a warmth that filled the room. For a moment, Milo felt the weight of the past years lift, replaced by the joy of being surrounded by family.

As they wrapped up dinner, Milo’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out, seeing a message from Atlas:

   “Hi, Milo. Want to hang out tomorrow night?”

Milo assumed it was another casual night like before, and Jason and Chev will be there too. He quickly typed back, “Sure." Cause why not?

As dinner wrapped up, the warmth of laughter and shared memories lingered around the table. Milo helped Lila stack the plates, carrying them to the kitchen while Richard settled back in his chair with a satisfied sigh. Lila nudged Milo playfully as they worked, their laughter mixing with the clinking of dishes. In the background, Richard watched them with a soft smile, clearly pleased to see his children together, filling the house with life again.