Page 52 of Revive Me

He shrugs again. “I just feel a little stupid. I don’t know anything about lifting. It feels wrong to jump into it when I’m this clueless.”

Later, I’ll think about the relief that fills my body in this moment. About how good it feels to finally be able to giveMikeysomething when, for over a year, it’s been him helpingme.

About how it feels like the most natural thing in the world to say, “I can start you on a lifting program, if you want.”

When both Mom and Mikey lift surprised gazes to me, I hurry to add, “Plus, I have my gym in the back room. I know it’s not an LA Fitness, but there’s enough equipment in there that I can give you the gist of the main exercises for the different muscle groups. I obviously can’t demonstrate the lower body exercises, but I could at least write you a plan and?—”

“I would love that,” Mikey interrupts my nervous babbling. “Thanks, man. That would be a huge help.”

A second wave of relief flows through me, and I nod before returning to cracking the eggs. “Cool,” I say on a heavy exhale.

Mom also returns to her French Toast, but not before I see a sheen in her eyes. And her voice is oddly high-pitched when she says, “Well, on that note…we’re going to need someextraeggs, Roman.”

I don’t bother trying to stop my smile. “You got it, Mom.”

18

ROMAN

By the time Mom says goodnight and retreats to her little cottage, Mikey is already snoring on my couch in a food coma.

I sigh and toss a blanket over him, but the sound is fond. I’m sure with everything that happened today that tonight would’ve been a fun night even if it was just Mom and me, but Mikey brought an extra dose of merriment. It’s one of the best parts of having him around.

Glancing at my phone, I realize it’s still relatively early. Early enough that I don’t want to go to bed yet.

So, keeping the volume low and the subtitles on, I settle on the opposite couch and turn on the TV.

I scroll mindlessly through the streaming apps for a few minutes before eventually settling on a thriller I saw a few years ago. I watch the familiar gory opening scene before my thoughts start to wander.

Specifically, to Lily.

I wonder if she’s seen this one. She knew almost all the movies I had listed, so it’s likely she has.

Then again, she admitted to missing a huge classic. So maybe not.

I wonder…

It hits me for the first time that Icouldask her. Because I have her number now.Shegave me her number. To use for instances like this, if her stress relief suggestions were anything to go by.

Spinning the phone in my hands, I debate long and hard for a few minutes.

And then I pull up her contact.

Roman: What’s more important in a movie, the story or the cinematography?

I don’t think I expected her to respond. Between my non-introduction and the fact that I don’t get night owl vibes from Lily, I startle when my phone buzzes a minute later.

Liliana: Story. Definitely.

Instantly, I’m smiling.

Roman: Follow-up question: can impressive cinematography save a bad movie?

Bubbles appear immediately.

Liliana: Not to the point that I could rate it a 10, but it could bump a movie a few points.

I’m in the middle of typing a response when I get a flurry of texts.

---