“You always have to come back,” she said. “All right? Don’t die. Promise—” Her voice failed. “Marino, what’s wrong?” He tried to step back, but she wouldn’t let go. “Nothing! I just spent a lot of time making that medical kit for you, and I did spend an hour teaching you how t-to use it, so—I think it would be really ungrateful if you—d-died.” He gave a hollow laugh and stepped closer so that his chin grazed the top of her head. His sigh was almost despairing. “All right…” he said, “but only because you asked.”
