Page 230 of Vita Mia

“My life is a lie. One big lie.”

Giovanni toasted him. “Join the brotherhood. We are born from liars we become liars. It’s our legacy.”

Lorenzo looked as if he’d launch an attack on the person closest to him.

“I’m never coming back to this place. I’m never coming back,” Lorenzo said.

“Promises, promises,” Giovanni took a swig from the bottle. “Well, at least you get to escape,” Giovanni said bitterly.

Lorenzo turned and left. Alone with Dominic, Giovanni sat in silence, and then Dominic left. He was truly alone. He’d learned a lot in solitary. How to survive on so little. He figured that must be a sign for his future. Then he heard his Bella entering the room. Years of marriage and dreams of her during their times apart he’d learned the sound, smell, taste of her blindfolded, he didn’t bother to look up.

She walked behind him and slipped her arms around his neck. She leaned in and kissed his jaw. “Are you okay?”

“Are you?” he asked and took another drink from the bottle.

“I heard Lorenzo announce to the house that they were leaving.”

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to your sister, and Lorenza?” he asked.

“I already did. There is nothing left to say to them.”

“Mommie!” Eve ran in hysterical. She and Giovanni looked up. “Papa! Mommie! They’re leaving. Zio Lo and Zia Me-Me are leaving!”

“Eve—“

“Papa! Stop them. Please!” Eve wept.

Mirabella stepped back. Giovanni got up from the table and she ran to him. He lifted her up into his arms. No matter how big she got he was able to carry her as if she were still his babe. He wiped at her tears. “Please, Papa. Don’t let them go. Not again. I want them to stay. Please!”

“Eve, sometimes—“

“No! Please, Papa! I beg you! I’ll die if they go. Everyone leaves. Don’t let it happen again to me,” Eve wept. She threw her arms around his neck and cried. He looked to Mirabella who was equally sad. “Let’s say goodbye.”

Together they walked out to the front of the villa. Marietta was at the car putting Lorenza inside.

“See, they aren’t gone yet,” Giovanni said. Eve lifted her head from his neck. He went down the steps and Mirabella followed. Lorenzo paused at the sight of a crying Eve. Without being told he walked over and took her from Giovanni.

“Why are you crying firefly?” Lorenzo smiled.

“Don’t call me that,” Eve wailed Lorenzo then glanced to Giovanni. He nodded that he understood. “Don’t cry my Evie. I have missed you too much for me to see you cry.”

“I don’t want you to go. Please, everyone leaves. Please stay with us.”

“Evie, take a breath,” Lorenzo said. She hiccupped several breaths and calmed down. He kissed her forehead. “I’m not gone forever. I’ll see you again. Promise,” he said.

She nodded. “You promise?”

Lorenzo hugged her to him and then leaned over so Marietta could kiss her goodbye. Giovanni watched them and said nothing. His wife stood at his side. They knew the truth. This was a final goodbye. But as a family of lies Giovanni saw no reason not to tell this one if it made his sweet girl less sad. Eve turned and came back up the steps to her father. He lifted her into his arms. Lorenzo nodded to Giovanni and then opened the door to the car for Marietta to join Lorenza. He paused another moment. He stared at Giovanni as if he’d say something, or promise something more. But no words came. He got in the car and they drove away.

“Will they come back Papa?” Eve asked.

“Someday,” he said and together they went back inside.

***

“DOMI?” CATALINA SAID.

Dominic stood by the window of the second floor of his villa watching Lorenzo and Marietta leave. He glanced back to see Catalina had joined him.

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