I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

Neo’s dad doesn’t come back for a long time. Business trips, Neo
tells me.
His mother comes instead. For what she lacks in warmth, she makes
up for in patience. It doesn’t matter how long it takes for Neo to make
eye contact or pick up a fork. She waits. Sort of like me. I think that
makes Neo feel safe.
Great Expectations never leaves his possession, but at least the
loop around his wrist loosens with time.
One day, I stop bringing Neo his trays. Instead, I just bring apples,
and he gives me books. The cycle of exchange continues until one
day, as he writes and I read next to him…
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Sam.”
“You like love stories, right, Sam?”
“Mhm.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
An uncomfortable question. One that brings up vulnerabilities I don’t
know how to share.
I shrug, looking at the ground. “I don’t remember.”
“Then you haven’t,” Neo says. “You’d remember.”
My fingers stiffen around the book in my hands.
“Maybe I don’t want to remember.”
Neo’s never experienced my pain. Only his. But he has no cages for
pity in his soul—only blunt remarks, wit, and at times, a little
softness.