Page 131 of Wicked

Dante gave me a work in progress draft of your novel, and I read it. I hope you don’t mind. I adored it, and your mother would be so very proud. I do not know how it ends, but I am sure you took your time to get it right.

I snort and rub a temple. “God help me.”

I peer into the box, and I find a scarf, jewelry box and a note under them. The note asks me to return one day and to visit.

My fingers rub the handwritten letter, and I read on aloud.

I miss you, my friend. You will always be welcome here, and you will always be my friend.

All my love, Nonna.

xo.

I slump down onto the ground and tears flow. After several minutes, I inhale and wipe my red puffy eyes.

I reread the last part of the note, and I force myself to breathe. It’s too much, and I sob. My fingertips are wet, and my heart feels broken, again.

I decide to write to her later in the day, and I lift the scarf. I saw her wear it several times, and it is blue like the Tuscan sky but with traces of yellow.

I put it straight on and look down. It now has a few tear marks, but they will dry.One day…

In the silver jewelry box, I find an antique Italian silver pendant. It is strong, thick, and it must be hundreds of years old.

I stand and put it on in front of the mirror near the door. It is some kind of symbol, and I believe it symbolizes all is one and a kind of infinity-like cycle.

I’m pretty sure Mom explained it to me once, and the idea of that makes my mind confused. Again, what a strange universe.

I’m as equally touched as I am sad. I miss Nonna with all of my heart. I miss Tito, I miss Olive, and I even miss Dante.

The bastard who ripped my heart in two.

An hour later, after a shower, some hot tea, and as Parker has her coffee, I come clean. I planned it this way to not drag out the going away conversations.

“I’m going overseas today,” I say, trying to play it down.

Parker gives me a WTF look, and I know I have to push on. Either that, or I’ll end up staying forever and not growing as a human.

“I’m going to write some of the new book on the road. I’ll keep the apartment and I’ll be back often. It’s likely only for a few months.”

Parker keeps staring at me, hand half raised with the toast. I was expecting a complication, but this is getting…

Suddenly, Parker smiles. “I’m happy for you, babe, you deserve it.”

We hug tight and long, and I feel better inside.

After a long healthy talk, I yank my big new backpack to the front door. I adjust my old daypack, hug Parker, and pull back to see her big wet eyes. She looks sad in her kooky outfit, and I grin. “I love you!”

She sheds another tear and taps my wet nose.

“I love you too. Call, okay?” I smile, nod, and head for the Uber.

This is it. It’s time to move on. Alone… I now know I’m safest alone. We are born alone, we die alone. Relying on anyone has risk.

Living alone is safe.

55

RAVEN

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