Giving Elio his sponge bath was the highlight of my days as the week progressed along with spending some time with my mother. It was the only time where no one else occupied the room, leaving me with Elio to take care of him. It brought some light back in me. If anyone walked in they would label me crazy because the whole process was spent with me just talking his ear off or singing to him, hoping my terrible singing would wake him up. I realized just then that he was my best friend and not being able to hear his voice over the days tore me apart. I refrained from telling him about my mother and siblings because I wanted to do it when I could stare in his eyes and see him excited for me. In a span of three days I had learned so much about my mother’s life and culture. She taught me so many things and I could not wait to have cooking dates with her which we put a pin on because she and my siblings were leaving in a day. It saddened me but surely Elio and I would visit whenever we coul

I knew there were over a thousand guests scattered on both sides but I could only see blurs. I heard the buzz, so many drones capturing the whole moment. I heard the weeps, the guests even more emotional. My eyes fixed further down the alter where I was going and I could not help but gasp as my vision cleared. I had last seen Elio the morning before when Salvatore and all the men took him away for a day and night to remember. He stood in his black tux looking so good. His eyes were on me, never faltering. His leg shook and I knew he was holding everything back from just weeping as I was. I was full-on crying and it was so embarrassing. By the time we reached the end I was not even sure I could stand on my own. “Who gives her away?” The officiate asked. “I do.” Mom spoke, pulling her arm from me. Elio descended down and held out his hand. Mom put my hand in his before he kissed my cheek then Elio’s. “I love you both.” She whispered and it nearly left me scattered on the floor lik

“Husband.” I coaxed, the car flying off the road. Wind blew through the thrown-back roof. I felt free, felt unbound, and cosmic. Elio’s groan and warning look had me giggling. I pushed off the seat, my hands moving up my thighs. I felt Elio’s eyes which made me turn my head to stare at him. His eyes couldn’t even budge as I pulled the underwear I wore down. He turned to the road for a second then back. My white lace underwear was unhooked from my feet, bringing it to my face to sniff. “Lethu bella tentatrice, per favore, ferma il mio amore.” Lethu beautiful temptress, please stop my love. He begged, pressing on the gas. The white lace flew to his lap and I watched as he pulled it up to his face, sniffing it. His eyes closed and when they opened I knew I was in for it. The car took a swerve fifteen minutes later and we were down and near the beach. I could hear the water crush. I could smell them and I could feel them already kissing my skin. We drove up a narrow tropical driveway th