I don’t even know what to say. This is one of those passages that you can only stumble on if you don’t get out of the train when you’re supposed to, and I got to live something that most New Yorkers won’t in their entire lives.

I answer Orion’s question with a hug. “Thank you for being the most thoughtful person ever.”

Orion squeezes. “You kidding? You won that award when you offered me your heart.”

The train pulls into the station, and I don’t want to let go. I don’t care if thousands of people pour into the car. That’ll only push us closer together. I want to hold on to Orion because he’s under this ridiculous impression that someone won’t love him in what I have faith will be a long, long life after the transplant. But I have to let go because Orion says, “This is our stop.” I get out and follow him up the stairs and outside the station with a new mission before I die.

Make sure Orion knows he deserves the world.

Gloria Dario

12:15 p.m.

Gloria tries breathing.

In, out. In, out.

Why does it feel like she’s a breath away from an asthma attack?

The restaurant is a little stuffy. She removes her light jacket and tucks it into the corner of the booth where she’s sat across from Pazito. Her son is telling her all about one of his assigned books for summer reading, but Gloria is struggling to focus, to keep her eyes away from the door where Rolando is expected to walk in any moment now. She wonders if he’ll be carrying a bouquet of sunflowers like he did their first—and last—time here at Desiderata’s, the day where Rolando told Gloria he was deeply in love with her.

The day where Gloria regrets not saying it back.

The truth is, Gloria knew she loved Rolando, but she wasn’t as certain that she was in love with him. Those lines can be blurry, especially when you’re young and haven’t known love yet—or known what it’s like to be in a relationship where things aren’t as they should be.

A marriage, even.

The early days with Frankie were passionate, as if they were floating above everyone else in their orbit, to the point where whenever Gloria was brought back to earth, she missed that high. So much so that she ignored the red flags billowing in the winds.

Who would have thought that falling in love could take you to the skies?

But people don’t have wings, and walking through life is how you get to be in it.

It’s up close, it’s personal, it’s real.