By the time we left the gaming center, the sky was already dark... the air carried the faint smell of grilled meat and spices from the food vendors lined along the corner.
Lorenzo was still buzzing with energy.
"Dad! Dad! Did you see when I beat that monster?"
Alessandro chuckled beside him his deep voice warm.
"I let you win."
"You did not!"
"I did."
"You didn't!"
I watched them quietly as they argued like that while we walked a smile growing at my cheek.
For a moment...… it felt normal like we were back together as we used to, but I knew better.
We stopped at a small street food stand.
The vendor greeted Alessandro like he already knew him.
"Boss, the usual?"
Alessandro nodded.
"Three plates."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Three?"
He glanced at me.
"You're eating."
"I didn't say I was hungry."
"You're eating," he repeated calmly.
Lorenzo giggled.
"Mommy always says that to me."
We sat on a plastic chair and table beside the joint.
We looked so out of place...
