Page 24 of Vita Mia

“Did you bring your equipment?”

“I did,” Ryder said, eager to leave them.

Gino seemed pleased. His sister and brother did not. Both of them glared with open hostility. “Madre said you need to eat; it’s been a long trip. I’ll take you to where she is. You can join her and MiaBella for lunch, then we’ll get started.”

Ryder turned for the door.

“Mr. Santini.”

He paused and glanced back.

“We aren’t the mafia. We aren’t monsters. We’re just a family. That is the essence of this interview. Be sure to keep that message intact no matter what Madre tells you.”

“I nearly died,” Ryder said and glanced to Gianni. “My aunt’s restaurant was burned to the ground. No disrespect Mr. Battaglia but you’re more than a family to me. And the world isn’t stupid. Your family history has been documented.”

“History can always be rewritten, you American’s do it all the time,” Gino answered. “And the world is stupid. The world has a short memory. The world can give a shit about facts and fairness. The world is what we make it.”

Ryder had no come back. He nodded in agreement.

“Then we do understand each other.Bravo.”

Ryder was walked out of the office and back down the stairs. Gino didn’t speak to him. Eve and Gianni didn’t follow. He was led to an outside terrace and through a garden. Seated in the gazebo was MiaBella, with a woman she had a striking resemblance to. Donna Mirabella Battaglia hadn’t been seen in public in over ten years. And the last sighting was from a long angle camera lens that showed her on a yacht with sunglasses and a floppy hat. All he had was the images of her during the trial of her husband, and after his murder.

She wore a white dress that made her look regal, almost angelic. Despite the silver streaks in her hair she looked closer to her thirties than fifties.

“Here he is mummy! Ryder, come join us,” MiaBella said.

Ryder glanced to Gino. He nodded that he approved. Ryder approached the women. He expected Gino to follow. He didn’t. He turned and walked back the way they came.

“See! I told you, you would be fine,” MiaBella grinned. She took his hand and pulled him to walk faster. Mirabella stood. She greeted him with a handshake and then offered him a seat at the table for three. There was so much food his stomach did a summersault.

“We didn’t eat on the plane. They offered but the food was stale and awful. I don’t know who that company is that Gianni has hired but they are terrible. Oh, and Ryder was nervous the entire flight.”

“Nervous?” Mirabella glanced to Ryder. “Are you okay?”

“Flying isn’t my thing.”

“Then thank you very much for coming. Please, help yourself.”

Ryder plucked everything he desired from the trays. He ate and listened as MiaBella did most of the talking. She gave her mother an update on her life in Los Angeles. She sounded excited about acting classes she and someone named Jewel were taking. She talked about Gianni being mean when he visited her, and his refusal to introduce her and Jewel to his celebrity friends. Ryder glanced up. The moment he did Mirabella’s gaze fell upon him and he felt compelled to finish eating instead of joining in the conversation. Especially about her crazy son that almost killed him.

“I will speak to Gianni. He’s just being protective of youcara.”

“You said I was an adult, that I could be an adult. But they still treat me like a baby.”

“That’s because you are our baby, you always will be.” Mirabella cupped her chin. “Stop rushing to be grown. Take your time. Haven’t we supported your dreams? You live in America now.”

MiaBella nodded. Ryder guessed that support came in the fashion of abandoning the arranged marriage for her. He wanted to ask but held back. Lunch ended with a few more pleasant exchanges. He could tell by the way the women stared at him that the eating and socializing was done at the leisurely pace that Sicilians and Italians enjoyed. Nothing was ever rushed. He finished his lemonade and thanked Mirabella for the meal after over an hour of dinning with her.

“You and I should go upstairs. Your equipment was brought in,” Mirabella said.

“Mum? Can I come? I want to make sure Ryder is comfortable.”

“Of course,, sweetheart.” Mirabella touched her daughters face. “Shall we?”

“Yes,” Ryder said in agreement. “Let’s get started.”

Mirabella left the Gazebo ahead of them. MiaBella walked with Ryder. She bubbled with excitement. “How do you like it so far?” she asked.

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