Page 101 of Cruel Juliet

He takes a sip of water. The cup trembles in his grip. “You know what’s weird? Sometimes, I wake up and think I’m still in the hospital. I look around and wonder where the machines went. It takes a minute to realize I’m here.”

I nod. “That’s normal.”

“Yeah. So they tell me.” He pauses, eyes unfocused for a moment. “How long’s it been since you last came?”

I hesitate. I’m tempted to lie or make excuses, but I don’t. “A few months.”

“No way.”

“Unfortunately, way.”

“You shitty brother.” But there’s no heat in his words. “Oh, well. At least you showed up. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of my darling wife since I got stashed here with the retirees.”

My brow knits. “What do you mean?”

“Kira.” He looks at me like I’m the one whose brain needs rewiring. “Haven’t seen her in months.”

“That can’t be.” My frown deepens. “She’s here almost every day.”

He blinks at that, confused. “No, that’s… It’s been months, I’m telling you.”

That makes me go still.

This is it. What Kira warned me about.She told me Dimitri’s progress hasn’t been everything she wished for. I was letting the physical leaps and bounds he’s made blind me to the truth: that his mind isn’t what it used to be.

Dimitri looks away. “Maybe you’re right,” he says, like he wants to change the subject. “Time gets mixed up.” He forces a laugh, tries to downplay it. “Guess I’m not all the way back yet.”

“You’re getting there.” I say it with conviction. I need to believe it, too. “Don’t rush. Things will come back to you.”

His expression softens. “I’m glad you’re here, Petya. Next time, bring your wife and kid, yeah? I’d love to meet ‘em.”

“Will do.”

We relax into the quiet. The light shifts against the window, catches in the faint scars that run along his neck.

He’s stronger than I thought. Kira made it sound like he could barely stand without help. But he’s alert. Engaged. Making jokes.

Still, the way his gaze drifts worries me. The way he mixes up days, memories, visits.

He’s healing, but the road’s long. At least now, it’s a road he’s walking.

Finally, a nurse clears her throat next to us. “Visiting hours will be over in ten minutes, gentlemen.”

“Bummer. I’m afraid we’re gonna have to cut this short.” He rises unsteadily, with both palms flat on the table.

I watch him reach for a walker and fight the temptation to get it for him. This is still my older brother, and he’d fucking hate it if I showed him any pity.

Eventually, he gets to it. His clenched jaw eases with relief. “It was good to see you, brother. Next time, don’t be a stranger so long, yeah?”

“I won’t.” This time, I mean it. “See to it that you come home soon. So you can watch your niece learn to walk.”

“Maybe we can get there together, then.” His head jerks towards his walker. “Fucking hate this thing.”

“We’ll burn it once you’re done with it.”

“Hah! I like the sound of that. Can’t imagine it’ll be soon, though.”

“It will be.” I don’t let my tone falter. “The doctors will clear you, and you’ll be back before you know it.”