SOFIA
Once again, the Giordino family has amazed me with their generosity. What must it have been like to grow up in a family that loves and supports one another the way they do? I can only imagine. But I’m thankful to have them in my life—and Mateo’s—now. It’s weird to think about how the day I found out he had a brain tumor was in some ways the luckiest day of our lives because it brought us to the Giordinos.
Life is funny that way. That out of something so dreadful could’ve come so much good is simply amazing.
When we’re in Nico’s truck on the way to Maria’s, I send a text to my father. I still can’t believe I can text my father. Hi again. My employers want me to come see you as soon as possible. Mateo could miss a little school, so maybe Friday to Monday? If that doesn’t work for you, we can do it another time.
At a red light, I pass my phone to Nico. “Did I get everything right?”
“You sure did. A-plus.”
“Thank you.” I take the phone from him and send the text, holding my breath as I wait to hear back from him.
He responds two minutes later. Let me see what I can do for flights and get back to you. Send me your full names and birthdates (with the year). And you can come anytime on Friday?
Yes, we can, and here’s our info.
After I send everything to him, he sends back a thumbs-up emoji.
“All good?” Nico asks me.
“So far. He’s finding flights. I’ve never been on an airplane.”
“No? You’ll love it. I wish I could go with you.”
“Why can’t you?” Dee asks from the backseat.
“Work, Milo, Mom, Dad, etcetera.”
“You should go with them. Wyatt, Austin and Dom would cover your rides. I know they would.”
“I can’t ask them to do that.”
“You’re not asking them. I am.”
“Dee! Don’t. It’s too much to ask.”
“No, it isn’t, and I already did. Wyatt responded right away. He said, ‘Tell me when and where, and I’m there.’ Austin said he loves to drive and would be happy to do it. Just give him the deets.”
I can see that Nico is overwhelmed by their willingness to help, as am I. “What about Milo?” he asks his sister, glancing at her in the mirror.
“In case you haven’t noticed, there are a lot of people around who can help with him,” Dee says. “You’re going to Minnesota with Sofia and Mateo.”
“This family,” I say again, because they’ll never stop amazing me.
“It’s what we do,” Dee says. “It’s what family does for family.” After a pause, Dee says, “Dom’s in, too. There you go. Three volunteers to cover your rides. You’re all set.”
“Are you okay with this?” Nico asks when we’re stopped at another red light.
“Yes, of course. I want you to come.”
He releases a deep breath. “I want to go. You shouldn’t be alone for this. I mean, other than Mateo, of course.”
“I know what you mean, and I’m so glad you’re coming. Let me just text my dad.”
“Tell him I’ll get my own ticket on the same flights.”
I type the message conveying the update, debating for a second as to how I should refer to Nico. In the end, I call him my boyfriend.