Family

SIXTY-TWO

Present || Leo

I feel different.

Both physically and mentally.

I haven't heard the voices in a long time nor do I imagine Matteo anymore. It's as if he's really gone for good and I seem to have finally come to terms with it.

Every time I start to feel bad about myself, Alfonzo is always there, ready to pick me up but I can't help but notice that today he seems off.

His shoulders are tense as he looks forwards, his hands holding the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles are turning whiter by the second. It's like he's lost in thought.

Maybe that isn't the case. Almost as if he can feel my intense gaze on him, Alfonzo's dark eyes glance to me briefly before diverting again.

"So what did you get up to today?" Alfonzo asks, his eyes on the road as he drives us to get dinner, his hold on the steering wheel loosening slightly.

Luca and Aiden quietly bicker in the back of the car as Alfonzo starts a conversation with me, not even sparing them a glance.

"Not much." I shrug my shoulders, fiddling with my fingers in my lap.

"Well it seems like you've had a fun day." He remarks sarcastically, a ghost of a smile on his face.

"How was your day?"

He frowns at my question and seems to contemplate for a while about what he's going to say before he answers, his tone measured, "Eventful."

My brows furrow at his words but before I can ask him more, he parks the car and Luca and Aiden bolt out before I've even registered we're here.

"You guys can wait in the car!" Luca shouts as he slams the door behind him, chasing after Aiden into the fast food restaurant.

Alfonzo rolls his eyes before sighing, laying his head down on the steering wheel and releases a deep breath.

Worry tugs at my chest as I observe him, "What's wrong Alfie?"

Alfonzo freezes.

He actually freezes, not moving an inch until I repeat the question, leaning forward and touching his shoulder.

"Leo," Alfonzo breathes, his dark eyes swirling with an emotion I can't read.

His face contorts into an expression of desperation as he sits up straighter and takes my small hand in his much larger one.

"There's something I want to ask you and I want you to keep an open mind okay? You can take all the time you need to think about it." 

My heart beat picks up at his words and I fight the urge to pull my hand away from his grip as worry encases my body, an anxious feeling crawling up my throat as I wonder what his next words will be.

"Do you want to move away with me?" Alfonzo asks after what feels like an eternity of silence.

It's just us in the car and now I'm certain I can hear my heart thumping loudly in my chest, I wouldn't be surprised if Alfonzo could hear it too.

"What?" My voice is a quiet whisper as I stare at him in disbelief.

He wants to move out of the family home?

"But why?" 

Alfonzo grimaces, his left hand coming up to rub the back of his neck, "I just think change will be good. For the both of us."

He studies me carefully, almost as if he's fearful of my reply and I want to tell him that my home is wherever he is but I can't find the courage to.

What if he's joking with me?