Chapter 19 - What Stallone Finally Understood Stallone grew older.
His hair turned gray.
His steps became slower.
But every time Olivia came to visit, he still expected stories.
And she always had them.
One evening, they sat in the same living room where everything had begun.
The furniture was different.
The walls had been painted.
The old carpet was gone.
But the room still carried memories.
“Do you ever think about that day?” Olivia asked.
“Sometimes.”
“Are you still angry?”
He considered it.
“No.”
“Why?”
He looked toward the window.
“I think I was angry because I wanted to protect you.”
“You did.”
“I wanted to protect you before anything happened.”
He smiled sadly.
“But nobody can do that.”
Olivia nodded.
“Would you do anything differently?”
Stallone didn't need much time.
“I would listen sooner.”
She smiled.
“That’s a good answer.”
“Why?”
“Because you taught me listening matters.”
He laughed.
“And you're finally listening?”
“Sometimes.”
“Good.”
She looked at him.
“You know, Grandpa…”
“Yeah?”
“You really did always come.”
May you like
He smiled.
And this time, he didn't look away.
