Do You Want Me to Go?: A Short Story

by Adriana Trigiani, David Colacci (Narrator)

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.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Marriage, Contemporary, Novella

Audible Audio

First published April 14, 2026

About the author

Adriana Trigiani is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-one books of fiction and nonfiction, including The View from Lake Como, The Good Left Undone, The Shoemaker's Wife and Lucia, Lucia. Her work has been published in thirty-eight languages around the world. An award-winning playwright, television writer/producer, and filmmaker, Trigiani wrote and directed the major motion picture of her debut novel, Big Stone Gap, adapted her novel, Very Valentine, for television, and directed the award-winning documentary, Queens of the Big Time. Adriana hosts the hit podcast, You Are What You Read, where she interviews authors and luminaries about the books that built their souls. In 2023, Adriana was named Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia by President Sergio Mattarella of Italy, and in 2024, the Library of Virginia awarded her the Patron of Letters degree, their highest honor. She also holds honorary degrees from Saint Mary’s College and the University of New Haven. Adriana is co-founder of the Origin Project, a year-round, in-school writing program in Virginia. Trigiani is honored to serve on the New York State Council on the Arts. She lives in Greenwich Village with her family.

Connect with Adriana on all platforms here: linktr.ee/adrianatrigiani

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

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🌟

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Trigiani since 2000 when I read Big Stone Gap. I saw this short story and I didn’t hesitate to read it.

A bittersweet story of a long married couple reminiscing while the wife comforts her dying husband. And then they start to argue over his affair (or 3) that took place years prior. It reflects on their devotion and the little slip ups that couldn’t break them. Although, that indiscretion is worth mentioning one more time 😂

[mandie ੈ♡˳ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i would never have forgiven that man honestly.

[Teresa Eger · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jaiden English · Rating 1 out of 5]

may this type of life never find me

[Lakshmi 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a heartfelt and emotionally honest story about love, family, and the difficult choices that shape our lives. Relationships are built as much through quiet acts of care as through grand gestures, each moments felt brutally honest.

[Eunice Coorlas · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tulip_OnTheTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

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?”

[meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 he's a cheater. And you find this out about halfway through and at that point, I won't lie, I saw like goodbye, Tommy, see you later, 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.

[Riley Poling · Rating 1 out of 5]

well that whole thing was depressing

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness

[TheBookNookBabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Danielle Goddard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short listen 🎧 but didn’t really grip me. Didn’t like the way it was narrated. Wasn’t in pov of the characters.

[Shannon Brunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly enjoyed this for a short book

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A man is dying and he is having his last discussion with his wife.

He had affairs she is bad with money. They discuss their lives and realise they are both greedy

Only 30 pages a short story

[Gena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it were longer.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty, bittersweet short story centering on regret, forgiveness, and redemption.

[Ann-marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was sweet, sad, thoughtful, heartbreaking, loving and what could have been even more.
Tommy lungs are failing him and he is in the hospital, waiting for his wife Denise to visit him. We the readers find out this couple have been married for over forty years with bump bruises and happiness of their life together. As someone who is married not as long as they have I truly enjoyed the realism of this story. Enjoy the thoughtful ending of it all.

[Lisa Teves · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Katrina (Catching up on Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tommy, a husband of 46 years, faces a difficult conversation with his wife Denise while he is in the hospital. As they reflect on their marriage, Denise reveals truths that make Tommy see their relationship in a new way. 30 page Amazon Original. I could relate to his wife so much because I’m the same way. I have a hard time letting things go and tend to bring them up again and again. This story definitely made me reflect on how past hurts can affect relationships.

[Addie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know why I read this. The man was a cheating loser, and the woman initially angry (not angry enough) and then forgiving. Glad reading it took only 15 minutes of my time. 1 star.

[Linda Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

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

[Lina Costa · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Julissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do You Want Me to Go? was a heartfelt and bittersweet short story that stayed with me after I finished it. The story centers on a wife having honest, raw conversations with her husband while he’s on life support, reflecting on their life together, their love, regrets, mistakes, choices, and everything in between.

I really appreciated how emotional and authentic their conversations felt. It wasn’t just about saying goodbye; it was also about self-discovery, forgiveness, and finding peace with the lives they had lived. Despite being such a short story, I felt like I got to know both characters and became invested in their journey.

The ending was touching and felt like the perfect conclusion to their story. It’s a beautiful reminder of the importance of honesty, grace, and cherishing the people we love. If you’re looking for a quick but emotional read that explores love, loss, and forgiveness, I’d definitely recommend this one.

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, I expected so much more from Adriana Trigiani! This short story that is part of the Amazon Original Stories for the Kindle is trite and cliched.

He is only 68, but Tommy Cordero is in the hospital dying of a lung disease. Denise, his wife of 46 years, decides now is the best time to revisit an argument they have had so many times they can't keep count: His infidelities. He cheated on her over the years with three different women, and while he knows he did wrong, he also knows that he loves his wife and gave her an incredible life. She begs to differ and proceeds to tell him the true meaning of love and what is most important in life.

That's it! That's the story. And while the life advice presented in the story is valuable, it just seems mean to treat each other this way at the very end.