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Do You Want Me to Go?: A Short Story
For a marriage on life support, it’s never too late for self-discovery in a bittersweet short story about secrets, betrayals, and forgiveness by
New York Times
bestselling author Adriana Trigiani.
Tommy Cordero always likes watching his wife, Denise, make an entrance, and never more so than when she comes through the door of his hospital room. He’s looking for words of comfort—after all, his lungs are shot—but Denise is looking for honesty. In their forty-six years together, Tommy considers they’ve done well. Denise and their children have never wanted for a comfortable home, cars, vacations. Surely that outweighs a couple moments of weakness? But Denise is ready to unpack his assumptions, and Tommy is in for some revelations. He’s getting to know his wife for the very first time.
Tommy Cordero always likes watching his wife, Denise, make an entrance, and never more so than when she comes through the door of his hospital room. He’s looking for words of comfort—after all, his lungs are shot—but Denise is looking for honesty. In their forty-six years together, Tommy considers they’ve done well. Denise and their children have never wanted for a comfortable home, cars, vacations. Surely that outweighs a couple moments of weakness? But Denise is ready to unpack his assumptions, and Tommy is in for some revelations. He’s getting to know his wife for the very first time.
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
Adriana Trigiani
72 books7,110 followersJoin Adriana Trigiani and the great authors and luminaries of our time on the YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ PODCAST! Available wherever you listen to podcasts: https://linktr.ee/adrianatrigiani
Beloved by millions of readers around the world for her "dazzling" novels (USA Today), Adriana Trigiani is "a master of palpable and visual detail" (Washington Post) and "a comedy writer with a heart of gold" (New York Times). She is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including her latest, The Good Left Undone- an instant New York Times best seller, Book of the Month pick and People's Book of the Week. Her work is published in 38 languages around the world. An award-winning playwright, television writer/producer and filmmaker, Adriana's screen credits include writer/director of the major motion picture of her debut novel, Big Stone Gap, the adaptation of her novel Very Valentine and director of Then Came You. Adriana grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she co-founded The Origin Project, an in-school writing program serving over 2,700 students in Appalachia. She is at work on her next novel for Dutton at Penguin Random House.
Follow Adriana on Facebook and Instagram @AdrianaTrigiani and on TikTok @AdrianaTrigianiAuthor or visit her website: AdrianaTrigiani.com.
Beloved by millions of readers around the world for her "dazzling" novels (USA Today), Adriana Trigiani is "a master of palpable and visual detail" (Washington Post) and "a comedy writer with a heart of gold" (New York Times). She is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including her latest, The Good Left Undone- an instant New York Times best seller, Book of the Month pick and People's Book of the Week. Her work is published in 38 languages around the world. An award-winning playwright, television writer/producer and filmmaker, Adriana's screen credits include writer/director of the major motion picture of her debut novel, Big Stone Gap, the adaptation of her novel Very Valentine and director of Then Came You. Adriana grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she co-founded The Origin Project, an in-school writing program serving over 2,700 students in Appalachia. She is at work on her next novel for Dutton at Penguin Random House.
Follow Adriana on Facebook and Instagram @AdrianaTrigiani and on TikTok @AdrianaTrigianiAuthor or visit her website: AdrianaTrigiani.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
June 3, 2026
A sad short story.
A husband and wife, at the end of his life.
They rehash the past, petty arguments, regrets. They make peace.
Story is told mostly through dialogue between husband and wife while he is in hospital room. Their back and forth conversation is realistic at least in that it accurately represents two people navigating end of life.
Sad, heartfelt, and gave me some chills.
4🌟
A husband and wife, at the end of his life.
They rehash the past, petty arguments, regrets. They make peace.
Story is told mostly through dialogue between husband and wife while he is in hospital room. Their back and forth conversation is realistic at least in that it accurately represents two people navigating end of life.
Sad, heartfelt, and gave me some chills.
4🌟
July 4, 2026
2.5 stars rounded up
May 26, 2026
i would never have forgiven that man honestly.
May 27, 2026
may this type of life never find me
April 15, 2026
A Powerful Reminder of Love and Forgiveness
Sitting here waiting on my husband’s biopsy results for possible prostate cancer, this story hit me deeply. After 45 years of marriage, it brought back so many thoughts—memories of love, mistakes, and everything in between.
We all fail each other at times… that’s part of being human. But what this story so beautifully reminds us is that forgiveness—especially in those final moments—is everything. It brings peace, not just to the one we love, but to our own hearts as well.
This wasn’t just a story for me—it was personal, emotional, and a powerful reminder of what truly matters in the end.
Sitting here waiting on my husband’s biopsy results for possible prostate cancer, this story hit me deeply. After 45 years of marriage, it brought back so many thoughts—memories of love, mistakes, and everything in between.
We all fail each other at times… that’s part of being human. But what this story so beautifully reminds us is that forgiveness—especially in those final moments—is everything. It brings peace, not just to the one we love, but to our own hearts as well.
This wasn’t just a story for me—it was personal, emotional, and a powerful reminder of what truly matters in the end.
May 15, 2026
A a beautiful reminder that forgiveness is one of the best ways to obtain happiness. After 40 years of marriage, Denise and Tony are in a hospital room where he is waiting to die. The two discuss things that occurred during their marriage, his affairs and her ability to spend money. Despite their heated discussions, the one thing that remained was the love they shared. The poignant ending of the short story was an explanation of what forgiveness can look like. Adriana Trigiani his added another brilliant piece of work to her Long list of excellence.
May 7, 2026
Big Drama in a Small Package! 🎭
This was my first time reading Adriana Trigiani and I’m officially intrigued! This short story was fast-paced, dramatic, and really good. It’s the kind of writing that makes you immediately curious about what else the author has tucked away in her backlist. ✨
I love some toxic energy in my books so this one was right up my alley, okay! 🤭 Short stories are the perfect palate cleanser after weeks of diving into full-length novels. They give you that emotional punch without the long-term commitment and this one delivered. 🍧📖
The Aftermath 🌷:
This was a solid four-star read for me and I hope it’s one for you too. If you’re looking for a quick, dramatic escape, definitely check it out!
This was my first time reading Adriana Trigiani and I’m officially intrigued! This short story was fast-paced, dramatic, and really good. It’s the kind of writing that makes you immediately curious about what else the author has tucked away in her backlist. ✨
I love some toxic energy in my books so this one was right up my alley, okay! 🤭 Short stories are the perfect palate cleanser after weeks of diving into full-length novels. They give you that emotional punch without the long-term commitment and this one delivered. 🍧📖
The Aftermath 🌷:
This was a solid four-star read for me and I hope it’s one for you too. If you’re looking for a quick, dramatic escape, definitely check it out!
April 29, 2026
Do You Want Me to Go? by Adriana Trigiani (2026)
30-page Kindle Ebook story pages 5-29
Genre: Literary Fiction, Short Story
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Featuring: Hospital, Sexagenarians, Marital Issues, Calabrese Italians, New Jersey, Deathbed
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🏨💔🏵🫀🫁😷
My thoughts: Meh. I was under the impression this was going to be a Mystery Suspense Thriller, but it most certainly was not. The writing and characters were the main reasons it got 3 stars, the plot was lacking for a short story.
Recommend to others: No, to be honest.
Memorable Quotes: “I never cared about the money.” “Because you have no respect for it.” “It was never important to me.” “That’s why you’ve made a career of giving it away?”
30-page Kindle Ebook story pages 5-29
Genre: Literary Fiction, Short Story
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Featuring: Hospital, Sexagenarians, Marital Issues, Calabrese Italians, New Jersey, Deathbed
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🏨💔🏵🫀🫁😷
My thoughts: Meh. I was under the impression this was going to be a Mystery Suspense Thriller, but it most certainly was not. The writing and characters were the main reasons it got 3 stars, the plot was lacking for a short story.
Recommend to others: No, to be honest.
Memorable Quotes: “I never cared about the money.” “Because you have no respect for it.” “It was never important to me.” “That’s why you’ve made a career of giving it away?”
May 5, 2026
Do You Want Me To Go?: ★ ★ ★ ★
Adriana Trigiani
“Being alone isn’t a sad proposition—being with someone for whom you are not enough is brutal. It’s a prison. It’s isolation and humiliation and pain.”
A quick story that reinforces how important it is to get married to the right person even if it takes you time to find them.
Adriana Trigiani
“Being alone isn’t a sad proposition—being with someone for whom you are not enough is brutal. It’s a prison. It’s isolation and humiliation and pain.”
A quick story that reinforces how important it is to get married to the right person even if it takes you time to find them.
June 4, 2026
Tommy is Italian, has a big nose, likes to make a lot of Italian references, and is sitting in a hospital with a breathing mask on his face after an early heart attack. He's married to a lovely lady named Denise. She has a good heart (figuratively) and he's worried that if he dies she's going to give all of their money away like Robin Hood. I mean... sounds like I would like Denise. But Tommy wants to make sure everyone is set up for when he passes away.
But I don't like Tommy because . And you find this out about halfway through and at that point, I won't lie, I saw like but apparently Denise has put up with this for years. Maybe it is me... but I feel like Denise deserved better the entire time.
An interesting short story about love, forgiveness, and death.
Adriana Trigiani is clearly a good author and I'd pick up more by this author in the future.
But I don't like Tommy because . And you find this out about halfway through and at that point, I won't lie, I saw like but apparently Denise has put up with this for years. Maybe it is me... but I feel like Denise deserved better the entire time.
An interesting short story about love, forgiveness, and death.
Adriana Trigiani is clearly a good author and I'd pick up more by this author in the future.
April 20, 2026
well that whole thing was depressing
June 10, 2026
I use these short stories from Amazon to read in eng and improve it. This one is about redemption, the ups and downs of long marriages, and what one is sometimes willing to forgive for that longevity. A pleasant read.
1) Maybe I could've forgiven him one. Not three times.
2) It's incredible that how money and material things can delete some "mistakes"
3) Hope this type of love NEVER find me.
1) Maybe I could've forgiven him one. Not three times.
2) It's incredible that how money and material things can delete some "mistakes"
3) Hope this type of love NEVER find me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2026
Ok
Short story about a husband and wife arguing in the hospital while the husband is on his deathbed. Tony is dying, but Denise wants to know why he cheated on her during their marriage. She was a good wife to him. Tony just wants forgiveness without an explanation as to why he did what he did.
Short story about a husband and wife arguing in the hospital while the husband is on his deathbed. Tony is dying, but Denise wants to know why he cheated on her during their marriage. She was a good wife to him. Tony just wants forgiveness without an explanation as to why he did what he did.
April 18, 2026
Oh my goodness
April 28, 2026
The quote about how people won’t always remember what you say but will always remember how you made them feel is all I can think of having read this.
May 7, 2026
Short listen 🎧 but didn’t really grip me. Didn’t like the way it was narrated. Wasn’t in pov of the characters.
May 11, 2026
Surprisingly enjoyed this for a short book
June 30, 2026
30 page Amazon Original. I am just like his wife. I can't let things go and bring them up all the time.
April 18, 2026
A witty, bittersweet short story centering on regret, forgiveness, and redemption.
April 20, 2026
Tommy and Denise’s 46 years together vividly portrayed in just 30 pages
This is the first time I’ve purchased a short story. One of my favorite authors proves her talent in making me understand Tommy and Denise as individuals and a husband and wife in love while being at odds with each other. Excellent!
This is the first time I’ve purchased a short story. One of my favorite authors proves her talent in making me understand Tommy and Denise as individuals and a husband and wife in love while being at odds with each other. Excellent!
May 11, 2026
A very disappointing depressing story. If your husband is dying do you want to spend the last few hours of your time together bringing up all the times he broke your heart? What’s the point of it? It looks like neither partner knew what each was really like.
But is that the last memory you want of each other? She brings up his faults and she tells him her plans after he’s gone.
Real life is hard enough. I don’t want to have it reinforced in a short story.
But is that the last memory you want of each other? She brings up his faults and she tells him her plans after he’s gone.
Real life is hard enough. I don’t want to have it reinforced in a short story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2026
⭐⭐⭐
Do You Want Me To Go?
Author: Adriana Trigiani
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
MARRIAGE
REGRETS
FORGIVENESS
Denise and Tommy Cordero have been married for over 25 years, and while Tommy considers it a successful match, he is shocked to learn that Denise does not.
Tommy is in the hospital and very ill when Denise arrives for her daily visit. She is a good wife and attentive to his needs. He knows he can count on her, and he will leave her a wealthy widow, although not a happy one.
As a member of the Catholic faith, Denise has wanted Tommy to admit to his multiple affairs and seek forgiveness. He doesn’t think it necessary. But when they start talking about their many years together, he tells her how much he loves and appreciates her. What he doesn’t admit is that he is difficult, stingy, and holds her to high standards.
He soon realizes that he has made many miscalculations, and while he may not have made amends to his God and his wife, he tries to make it up to her. Will it come in time?
A strange story and an unflinching look at a marriage that looks perfect on the outside but is highly flawed on the inside.
#DoYouWantMeToGo
@KindleUnlimited
#kindlepublications
Do You Want Me To Go?
Author: Adriana Trigiani
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
MARRIAGE
REGRETS
FORGIVENESS
Denise and Tommy Cordero have been married for over 25 years, and while Tommy considers it a successful match, he is shocked to learn that Denise does not.
Tommy is in the hospital and very ill when Denise arrives for her daily visit. She is a good wife and attentive to his needs. He knows he can count on her, and he will leave her a wealthy widow, although not a happy one.
As a member of the Catholic faith, Denise has wanted Tommy to admit to his multiple affairs and seek forgiveness. He doesn’t think it necessary. But when they start talking about their many years together, he tells her how much he loves and appreciates her. What he doesn’t admit is that he is difficult, stingy, and holds her to high standards.
He soon realizes that he has made many miscalculations, and while he may not have made amends to his God and his wife, he tries to make it up to her. Will it come in time?
A strange story and an unflinching look at a marriage that looks perfect on the outside but is highly flawed on the inside.
#DoYouWantMeToGo
@KindleUnlimited
#kindlepublications
June 17, 2026
girl what the hell
“Wait for me Tommy Cordero”???? What kind of cheating-husband-apologist wrote this? What was this for? I hated it???? Somehow even more than I expected to?????
EDIT: and ANOTHER thing. Let’s not equate the wife donating too much money to good causes, to her loser, cheating ass, whore husband having affairs???? Excuse me?????
EDIT pt 2: this is so “people make mistakes…. I didn’t MEAN to cheat, I can’t help it, I’m so weak and they’re so pretty🥺🥺 please forgive me… I provided for you so you should automatically forgive me” and then the wife’s response being all “I’m kind of upset but I know you love me so it’s ok and also I was ungrateful so we’re both the bad guy here”. Like. DELUSION. Miss me with this insane take. This story was a waste of paper, oxygen, pixels, whatever. Enough of this BS. Reads like 90s rom coms that tried to make us root for infidelity. Like shut up.
“Wait for me Tommy Cordero”???? What kind of cheating-husband-apologist wrote this? What was this for? I hated it???? Somehow even more than I expected to?????
EDIT: and ANOTHER thing. Let’s not equate the wife donating too much money to good causes, to her loser, cheating ass, whore husband having affairs???? Excuse me?????
EDIT pt 2: this is so “people make mistakes…. I didn’t MEAN to cheat, I can’t help it, I’m so weak and they’re so pretty🥺🥺 please forgive me… I provided for you so you should automatically forgive me” and then the wife’s response being all “I’m kind of upset but I know you love me so it’s ok and also I was ungrateful so we’re both the bad guy here”. Like. DELUSION. Miss me with this insane take. This story was a waste of paper, oxygen, pixels, whatever. Enough of this BS. Reads like 90s rom coms that tried to make us root for infidelity. Like shut up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
I have to start by saying that I love Adriana Trigiani. I have read virtually everything she has ever written. This short story from Amazon Prime was a lovely little gift.
It takes place in one afternoon, maybe only an hour or so, in a hospital room. A man is dying and this is the last conversation with his wife.
Tommy and Denise have been married for over 40 years. While the marriage was basically a good one, there were times when it wasn't. As Tommy struggles to breathe, Denise wants closure. That sounds callous, I know, but in Adriana's hand it is touching and honest. As they argue about their views of life, they somehow grow closer and as Tommy's life ends, Denise gains the strength to begin again.
It takes place in one afternoon, maybe only an hour or so, in a hospital room. A man is dying and this is the last conversation with his wife.
Tommy and Denise have been married for over 40 years. While the marriage was basically a good one, there were times when it wasn't. As Tommy struggles to breathe, Denise wants closure. That sounds callous, I know, but in Adriana's hand it is touching and honest. As they argue about their views of life, they somehow grow closer and as Tommy's life ends, Denise gains the strength to begin again.
June 1, 2026
True Forgiveness allows you to move Forward
This was a nice, quick read, but it was incredibly impactful. It definitely pulled at my heartstrings. One thing this story really reminded me is that forgiveness isn’t always for the person who caused the hurt—it’s often for the person carrying the hurt.
I can’t imagine being on your deathbed still needing forgiveness, still wrestling with whether to ask for it, and still carrying that weight. That part stayed with me long after I finished reading.
All I can say is wow. This was such a great read and my first book by this author. I’ll definitely be reading more. Thank you to the author for this story—it truly left an impression on me.
This was a nice, quick read, but it was incredibly impactful. It definitely pulled at my heartstrings. One thing this story really reminded me is that forgiveness isn’t always for the person who caused the hurt—it’s often for the person carrying the hurt.
I can’t imagine being on your deathbed still needing forgiveness, still wrestling with whether to ask for it, and still carrying that weight. That part stayed with me long after I finished reading.
All I can say is wow. This was such a great read and my first book by this author. I’ll definitely be reading more. Thank you to the author for this story—it truly left an impression on me.
June 16, 2026
Tommy Cordero always likes watching his wife, Denise, make an entrance, and never more so than when she comes through the door of his hospital room. He’s looking for words of comfort—after all, his lungs are shot—but Denise is looking for honesty. In their forty-six years together, Tommy considers they’ve done well. Denise and their children have never wanted for anything: a comfortable home, cars, vacations. Surely that outweighs a couple moments of weakness? But Denise is ready to unpack his assumptions, and Tommy is in for some revelations. He’s getting to know his wife for the very first time.
It sounded better in the write-up than it actually was.
It sounded better in the write-up than it actually was.
June 20, 2026
This is a short story that takes place over a period of a few hours in a hospital room. It is about a couple who have been married for 46 years. The husband, Tony, is seriously ill. Tony’s wife, Denise comes to visit him. They have a conversation that reflects back over their years together. It is a sad story.
I am not sure what I think about this story. The characters were not very like able. I have quite a few friends who have been married the same length of time. I have a friend whose husband was hospitalized with the same serious illness.
It is hard for me to imagine the conversation that they had in those circumstances. The story was thought-provoking. I spent quite some time thinking about what transpired. In the end, I just can’t relate. The story doesn’t seem real to me.
I rate the story 3 stars, because it was thought-provoking.
I am not sure what I think about this story. The characters were not very like able. I have quite a few friends who have been married the same length of time. I have a friend whose husband was hospitalized with the same serious illness.
It is hard for me to imagine the conversation that they had in those circumstances. The story was thought-provoking. I spent quite some time thinking about what transpired. In the end, I just can’t relate. The story doesn’t seem real to me.
I rate the story 3 stars, because it was thought-provoking.
July 4, 2026
True Story
Ah such emotional truth in this one! I highlighted all over this short story. I felt like I was taking a peek inside this hospital room, watching this couple on the last day of this husband's life. Not that they are sure that it's his last day. To them, particularly for the wife, it's another day in their 46 year marriage. The dialogue between the husband and wife has typical male/female perspectives and ways of operating down pat. The story is about marriage, and its also about living, aging, and dying. The author makes a lot of thoughtful points in the few pages of this story. I read the last words and said "ditto" to my late husband.
Ah such emotional truth in this one! I highlighted all over this short story. I felt like I was taking a peek inside this hospital room, watching this couple on the last day of this husband's life. Not that they are sure that it's his last day. To them, particularly for the wife, it's another day in their 46 year marriage. The dialogue between the husband and wife has typical male/female perspectives and ways of operating down pat. The story is about marriage, and its also about living, aging, and dying. The author makes a lot of thoughtful points in the few pages of this story. I read the last words and said "ditto" to my late husband.
April 18, 2026
A thirty page book that is short and sweet. It could be an epilogue set for forty years in the future for many marriage in trouble stories. The husband and wife share their perspectives on their forty-six years together while facing the end of his life in a hospital bed. He saw his role as a provider and she valued presence over presents. He strayed three times in their marriage and doesn't seem to acknowledge the impact of those choices considering them to be in the past. Did the characters grow?
April 23, 2026
BOOK REPORT
⭐ 2 ⭐
If my hair were _just_ a little bit longer I could hang myself with it.
Which is pretty much what I wanted to do after finishing this excruciatingly depressing (albeit well-written) short story.
Glad I didn’t read it as my bedtime story, otherwise I probably would’ve had bad dreams.
Finding myself quite baffled as to all of the 5-star ratings. And I say that as someone who has been married 27-plus-years, not all of them just filled with sunshine and roses.
Ah, well. To each his/her/their own.
⭐ 2 ⭐
If my hair were _just_ a little bit longer I could hang myself with it.
Which is pretty much what I wanted to do after finishing this excruciatingly depressing (albeit well-written) short story.
Glad I didn’t read it as my bedtime story, otherwise I probably would’ve had bad dreams.
Finding myself quite baffled as to all of the 5-star ratings. And I say that as someone who has been married 27-plus-years, not all of them just filled with sunshine and roses.
Ah, well. To each his/her/their own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews