Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World (Aristotle and Dante, #2)

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

In the stillness of the dawn, there was only the sound of Dante’s breathing. It was as though the universe had stopped whatever it was doing just to look down on two boys who had discovered its secrets.

I wondered what he saw, who he was making up when he looked at me.

Dante may have had a brilliant mind, but emotions ruled him. And he was stubborn as hell. I didn’t know how to deal with that. I guess I would have to learn.

Everyone had disappeared from the universe except the young man whose hand I was holding, and everything that had ever been born and everything that had ever died existed where his hand touched mine.

If we’re lucky. If we’re very lucky, the universe will send us the people we need to survive.

But, for me, to love was one thing. To let yourself be loved, well, that was the most difficult thing of all.

I’m celebrating in the quiet.