Chapter Text
Alberto died last night. I still can’t believe it. The house is already too quiet. Usually he’s up at this time, walking around, cleaning something, muttering to himself. His cane thumping on the floor.
At least it wasn’t painful. He died peacefully in his sleep. I woke up to him still holding me, like even in death he didn’t want to let go. I didn’t even realize anything had happened at first. He was smiling, which I hope means it was quick.
I didn’t get to say goodbye. There were no warning signs. He wasn’t sick. He was still active, still taking walks with me and cooking and being himself.
I should be mad. Screaming that he deserved more time. Which he did. But he’s also been carrying a heavy weight in his soul for so long, so if there’s a world beyond this, a place without pain…he deserves to be there. He deserves to finally rest.
Still, I miss him. Do you hear me, Alberto? I miss you, you idiot. I want to hold you. And kiss you. I want to hear your loud, earthshaking sneeze from down the hall. I want you to make bad jokes so I can roll my eyes. I want to run my hands through your curls and watch you melt like an ice cube. I miss your smile. Your laugh. Your voice.
I didn’t know our kiss goodnight would be our last.
The kids are staying with me. Both of them dropped everything and rushed over, and they’ve refused to leave my side. They’re finally asleep now after I forced them to rest. Just like I used to do with you. I’m gonna keep an eye on them. And the grandkids. I’ll fuss over them just like you would have. That’s a promise, Alberto.
Aiko is holding your old blanket, the one from your childhood that you always said you didn’t know why you kept. She's forty years old, and she’s still your little girl.
Dash made his first public appearance since he retired to talk about you. He told everyone what kind of person you are. A good man, a loving husband, and a devoted father, not a monster. He spoke about your legacy. Healing, not fear. I wish you could have seen it. I think you would have liked it. You would have cried. Spirits know I did.
Because back when we were teenagers, living in fear, we never could have even imagined this. A peaceful life together, with children and grandchildren, a legacy, safety. I know you always feared, probably up until the end, that people would look at you and only see the worst things you’ve done. But that’s not your legacy, because you’ve rewritten it. Through your quiet strength. Through our children. Through your choice to be good every single day.
We’re going to bury you under the big tree in our yard you loved so much. The one where I told you I wanted a second child. The kids are arguing over what to put on your headstone. Luca wants it to be simple, respectful. “Husband, father, survivor, friend.” Aiko wants to be more creative. “Master Butthead. But also the best dad in the world.” Honestly, I think you would prefer hers. But we’ll probably come up with some kind of compromise. We haven’t figured it out yet.
I know the Spirit World exists. I don’t know if you’re there. I hope so. But even if you’re not, even if your soul is just…gone, I’ll keep you alive through stories. So will Luca and Aiko and Uncle Luca. Spirits, Alberto. You should have seen Uncle Luca’s face when we told him. He cried for hours. I think he’s still crying.
I hope I’ll see you again. If you’re there, wait for me, okay? I don’t know when I’ll get there, but I’ll be there. Even if it’s ten, twenty, thirty years from now, keep waiting. I haven’t given up on you or forgotten you. I’m just taking my time, gathering memories and stories to share with you.
See you then, I hope. You’d better have tea ready. ‘Cause no one makes it quite like you.
-Violet