"Hey."
Natalia sat in the small space on the bed next to Valentina, a smile on her face.
"Hey," Valentina replied weakly, returning her smile too.
"How do you feel?"
"Hmmm, much better. For a second there, I thought this was it," she joked.
Natalia didn't find it funny. "Don't talk like that. You know it creeps me out when you do."
Valentina chuckled. "Lighten up, mummy. I'm fine."
"Yeah I can see. Why did you do it though? It's not–"
"No it wasn't a suicidal mission. I know I say I would love to dictate how I die, but this wasn't one of those times, okay?"
She breathed out in relief. "Good, because I always need my Val."
"Oh I know baby. I know."
Natalia stroked her forehead gently, and she closed her eyes.
"That feels good. You should become a massage therapist—" she was saying when her eyes flew open.
"What is it?"
"I didn't ask. How did you get here?"
"Oh," she withdrew her fingers, and straightened her back. "It's Daniela," she confessed.
