Page 92 of Vita Mia

“They released him? Stay with Lorenza,” Mirabella said.

Mirabella hurried out of the room with Eve’s hand in hers. She found Dominic in the kitchen speaking with Catalina. He looked up at her and his smile broadened.

“Domi!” Mirabella rushed over to him and hugged him as if she were hugging Giovanni. She held on tight to him. She was afraid to let go.

“We didn’t know what was going on. We were in contact with the lawyers but they couldn’t tell us anything.”

“It’s okay. They could only hold me legally for 36 hours.” Dominic turned his gaze to Eve. He stooped before her. “How are you princess?”

“You stink Uncle Domi,” Eve said and pinched her nose.

He sniffed his armpits. He made a disgusted face. “I do. But can I have a hug anyway?”

She nodded and went to him. He hugged, kissed and tickled her. Eve howled with laughter. She broke free and ran from him around the kitchen laughing.

“Take a shower Domi, I bought some clothes here for you. I’ll get breakfast finished.” Catalina offered. He nodded.

“We’ll talk at breakfast,” he said to Mirabella

“Mummy, I’ll check on Gino and Gianni. I left them in the room.” Eve offered. Mirabella smiled at her brave daughter. Since Giovanni was taken Eve had stepped up to care of her brothers. She never complained. She knew Eve was far from healed after her trauma but her child had the miraculous talent like her father for burying her pain and doing what was necessary.

“Thank you, baby,” she said.

“She’s so brave,” Catalina said after Eve left. “She’s growing up too fast.”

“I think we all are,” Mirabella joked.

“True,” Catalina agreed. She turned back to cooking.

Mirabella walked over and put on her apron.

“I know of a few young women who are looking for work. They can come and help with the kids.”

“No. I’ll take care of the kids. Me and you.”

“We have seven kids in this house. We both know you will have to travel to Italy. I can try to manage but me and Zia can’t do it alone.”

“I don’t want strangers around Eve.” Mirabella confessed. “I don’t even know if I can trust family around her. The kids still call herlucciolawhen they tease her. She pretends not to care, but at night since Giovanni has been gone, the nightmares are returning. I will take them all with me.”

Catalina put a hand to Mirabella’s shoulder.

“Ow!” Mirabella yelped. While slicing the strawberries, she cut her finger. It bled.

“Put it under water,” Catalina told her. She went for a paper towel. Mirabella ran cool water over the cut. Catalina returned with the towel and helped apply pressure. “Is it deep?”

“It’s fine.”

“Let me see,” Catalina reached for it.

“I said it’s fine!” Mirabella snatched her hand away. Catalina looked surprised. Mirabella sighed in defeat. “I’m fine. I’m going to be fine. Eve is going to be fine. And Gio... he will be fine too. Okay?”

“Prego,” Catalina nodded. “Whatever you say.”

Mirabella looked up into her eyes. “He told me what to do, what to say, even how to manage this. But he couldn’t tell me how to feel. It’s like he’s been shot all over again. This time I can’t help him. I can’t protect him.”

Catalina hugged her. She held on to her sister-in-law until she felt stronger. And in a few passing minutes she did. “I’m fine. I am.”

“Let’s finish breakfast and then talk with Domi. He’ll help us understand what we need to do. You don’t have to figure it out by yourself. You aren’t alone.”

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